Jewish Community Housing Corporation of Metropolitan NJ

Selecting an assisted living community for your loved one is a challenging process. After all, it’s an important decision which places the care of mom or dad in the hands of people you do not know. Understandably, this is a major concern for a lot of children of senior parents. How do you know if you can trust an assisted living facility with your loved one? And more importantly, how do you know if you’re making the right choice for everyone involved? In this article, our care team at Lester Senior Living discusses four common mistakes that can easily be made while  searching for an assisted living community , and how to avoid them: Prioritizing your preferences above those of your elderly loved one.  It’s easy to get caught up in your own tastes when looking at a community and become enthusiastic about amenities your senior parent may not actually care for. Since this is where your loved one will be living, it’s important to keep them involved in ...

Caregivers or children who are providing for senior parents, sometimes need the opportunity to take a break from the daily care of an elderly loved one. While respite care can be provided at home, there are many more benefits to having your loved one spend their respite stay in a senior living community. Especially if you and your loved one have already been toying around with the idea of moving into a senior community. Often the idea of a “short term stay” is an easier bridge for your loved one to cross, when broaching the subject of moving into a senior community. “Why don’t you just try it out Ma, while we’re on vacation for a couple weeks?” In this way, seniors will be able to experience the community first-hand without any long-term obligation. With respite care, family caregivers are relieved to know their loved one will be comfortable, entertained, and professionally cared for at all times, even more than if you hired a part time caregiver in the home. So, how do you know when...

                                                                                                                                                                                                        We all can agree – there’s nothing that brings you back to life during the cold winter months like a good stew. If you’re in the mood for a wholesome beef stew recipe, perhaps even one you can serve yo...

Quality of life is one of the leading concerns for all of us as we age. While Desiderata may tell us to “Surrender gracefully, the things of youth…” frankly, we’d really rather not! Still, when mom or dad’s health needs are changing, medical issues become more complicated, and day-to-day tasks are becoming more challenging, you’ll likely start to look into an assisted living community as an option for them. But is that really a better option for their quality of life than taking care of your loved one in their own home? What about  your  quality of life if you are an adult child doing the caregiving?  Even hiring, managing and checking in on a part time or live-in caregiver can be stressful. In this article, our assisted living caregivers will discuss the ways in which  assisted living actually enhances the quality of life  for your loved one and their entire family. Independence:  The ability to live your life as you’d like – a priority in each ...

Staying healthy isn’t just about living longer, it’s about living better too. Keeping active as we age is directly linked to maintaining our quality of life, as well as fighting mental and physical conditions that could limit our abilities. Unfortunately, it can become more and more of a challenge as we get older with family responsibilities, mobility issues, stress and lack of motivation. With that being said, our  senior living teams at the JCHC  communities have put together a list of tips to keep seniors healthy and motivated.  Find an activity your loved one enjoys:  Dad is far more likely to stick with an activity he enjoys, so take some time to explore options with him. Preferably, an option that you both could do together. For example, if he loved hiking back in the day, then regular nature walks with him or other senior friends is a perfect choice. Not to mention, staying active with a family member or friend is a great way ...

  You have probably heard the age-old saying, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away,” but has anyone ever told you that a sweet treat, like dark chocolate, could improve your health as well? Studies suggest that eating raw unprocessed cocoa, a natural rich source of flavanols, can positively increase energy levels, raise exercise stamina, and improve other measures of  heart health in inactive older adults . In fact, numerous studies have demonstrated that cocoa flavanols, found in dark chocolate, can relax the arteries, decreasing blood pressure; increase blood flow to the brain, improving memory and thinking skills; and suppress the production of stress hormones, thus decreasing stress and improving one’s mood. Now before you go to devour an entire box of chocolates, you need to be aware that most chocolate companies remove the many antioxidants that would provide any health benefit. Since most people find the flavanols very bitter and undesirable, they are removed during pr...

  When researching assisted living communities, most of us prioritize important things such as the size of the residential apartments, services offered, quality of care and costs. However, social interaction plays a crucial role in the  quality of life of assisted living residents . Lester Senior Living in Morris County is dedicated to providing residents with the opportunity to lead a fulfilling life and here’s why: Strengthen relationships:  Having a social circle that embraces different activities out of your loved one’s comfort zone will help them to build new relationships and strengthen established ones. Your loved one’s friends in assisted living will keep them in touch, busy and enjoying life in a community setting. Mental stimulation:  Interacting socially with a range of people through different activities provides essential mental stimulation which is key to a healthy, functional brain. Studies show stimulation has been known to help reduce mental decline,...

  Ultimately the choice between assisted living and independent living should be determined by the needs of your elderly loved one. If an aging adult has difficulties with daily activities or anticipates their needs changing in the near future, he or she may want to consider moving to an assisted or independent living community. To make the best decision, it is helpful to fully understand the differences between these  lifestyle options at Lester Senior Living in NJ .  What is Independent Living?  Independent living is ideal for individuals who can still live without assistance but enjoy the peace of mind of having access to assistance when needed. An independent lifestyle minimizes personal chores and errands along with the costs and stress of homeownership. Independent living services include: Housekeeping. Handyman/maintenance services. Meal options. 24-hour security and wearable alert pendants Utilities cost (excluding cable television and telephone). Transport s...

  Nobody knows mom and dad like you do. Which means you will most likely be able to tell if they’re having an “off” day or if there is something else going on. Adult children are often the best at picking up on senior health, mobility and memory care issues first because they can accurately determine whether the behavior in question is just a personal quirk or a real indicator for a higher level of care. If you’re unsure of what types of behaviors to look out for, please refer to our 5 major signs that  your senior parent may need assisted living  below.  Uncharacteristic neglect of home maintenance/housekeeping:  If your loved ones are known for the pride they take in their home and garden, a lapse in this care can be a sign they are no longer coping. Ignoring excess clutter, the garden overgrowth, and home maintenance issues can also increase the risk of falls and injuries in the home. If you suspect they feel overwhelmed, offer to help out with certain tasks,...

  No Rosh Hashanah is complete without a hearty meal that’s shared with the ones you love. This savory fish dish is perfect to eat before digging into sweet honey cake symbolic to Rosh Hashanah. If you’re looking for a new recipe for the Jewish New Year that is less traditional, this baked Atlantic cod recipe with barley risotto, escarole and beans is a perfect weeknight meal to serve your family and close friends   Ingredients: 4-6 ounces Cod filet seasoned with kosher salt and fresh ground pepper and freshly chopped dill 1 cup barley ½ cup diced fine onion  ½ cup diced fine celery ½ cup diced fine carrot 2 cloves of garlic chopped fine garlic 1 shallot chopped fine ½ escarole – head washed well, roughly chopped 1 cup white beans (cooked) 2 quarts chicken stock as needed 1tsp fresh thyme finely chopped Fresh chives sliced thinly Chive oil (optional) Directions:  Clean fish or buy the fish pre filleted. In a medium saucepan, sauté onions, celery, carrots, garlic...

  Rosh Hashanah is also known as the Jewish New Year and marks the start of the 10 days of repentance. But what are the 10 days of repentance? And what traditions or customs do we follow during this time? The team at the Jewish Community Housing Corporation in NJ has put together an overview of Rosh Hashanah that includes what the holiday symbolizes and how we celebrate and honor it today with our family and friends.  What does Rosh Hashanah symbolize? Similar to New Year’s Eve, Rosh Hashanah symbolizes a fresh start. It is a time of reflection and for people to reevaluate their priorities and goals in life. During this time, people often ask themselves questions like:  Who comes first in my life?  What is the most important thing in my life? How can I prioritize this thing more?  What is the most meaningful thing I have accomplished in the past year?  What do I hope to accomplish in the coming year? How can I make more time for the ones I love?  This ...

  Moving into an assisted living community like  Lester Senior Living in NJ  is a big transition for any senior. While the move is in everyone’s best interest and will give your loved one a much better quality of life, it’s important to remember that it can become overwhelming for your family member. Knowing what to pack for the move is a good way to prepare ahead of time and keep this change a positive and enjoyable one. Home decor and furnishings  Our assisted living apartments are designed to be as spacious, safe and easy-to-navigate as they are comfortable, but nothing will settle your loved one as quickly as their familiar home comforts. After measuring your furniture and reviewing the floor plan, you can move in the following: Favorite home furniture, including a comfortable sofa, chairs, coffee tables and more. Don’t forget to include chairs for guests and visitors. Kitchenware, including dishes, storage containers, glasses and cutlery. If you choose to utiliz...