Jewish Community Housing Corporation of Metropolitan NJ

Deciding to leave your family home and transition to an independent living community is a big adjustment. Not only can it be emotional for your senior loved one, but there also is the challenge of downsizing from a big home filled with years worth of belongings to more conservative apartment living. No matter the circumstances, it’s going to take time for mom or dad to realize this move is in everyone’s best interest, and to settle into their new home and life. Fortunately, as their child and support system, there are things you can do to help them  transition to independent living more successfully . Be completely honest.  Sometimes it doesn’t help to be overly positive at the expense of truth about the change. Instead, let them know that they can be honest with you about their emotions at all times, and in turn be honest and empathetic with them. Validate their feelings when they express how sad they are to leave the home they raised children in. But also remind them that ...

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 ...

Core strength exercises improve the fitness of the stomach, back, hips and pelvis. These muscles are important for improving balance and stability, as well as posture. For seniors, these exercises are a good way to help reduce risk of falls and make walking and other daily tasks much easier. Which, might we add, is key to retaining independence in your golden years. With that said, here are some easy core exercises for seniors from our  independent living coordinators at JCHC . Safety note: If you are unsure of how to do the exercises or require assistance in performing them correctly and safely, please speak to your doctor or physical therapist before attempting any new movements.   The Bridge:  This exercise focuses on the muscles in your buttocks, lower back and stomach. Start by lying flat on your back on a yoga mat with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Slowly lift your torso to create a straight line between your knees and your chest. ...

When your parents first start showing signs that they need support managing their day-to-day lives, family members sometimes choose to help out – becoming knowledgeable and competent caregivers. However, there often comes a point at which you can no longer keep up with the duties of a full-time caregiver, especially when managing your own family, career and other extracurricular activities. One of the best ways to ensure uncompromised quality of care for your loved one, is to make the  move to an assisted living community . While this is a difficult choice for everyone involved, it can be made easier by finding an assisted living community which offers the following: Around the clock care:  It’s important the community takes a close look at the individual needs of each resident in order to build a support program that provides the proper level of assistance. These services should also change as your loved one’s needs change, ensuring that his or her q...

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 ...

  If you are concerned with the safety and security of your elderly loved one, you might want to consider independent living. Independent living is ideal for individuals who can still live without assistance, but enjoy the peace of mind of having access to help with daily tasks when needed. In this article, the team at JCHC will discuss five key benefits of independent living for our senior residents at  Lester Senior Living  and  Village Apartments .  Independent Living Benefits at JCHC Communities Senior-friendly housing  – With high-quality, apartment living, seniors are able to downscale from costly, high-maintenance houses with ease. Accommodations at JCHC’s Lester Senior Living and Village Apartments are designed for easy navigation (whether a resident is mobile, using a walker or in a wheelchair), compact and free of potential hazards. Social Interaction  – Independent living encourages residents to participate in the community at a level where ...

  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...

  There are many reasons behind the choice to move to an independent living community. Most of them depend on mom or dad’s current health status and lifestyle requirements. This type of lifestyle is typically desired by aging adults who are relatively healthy and need minimal to no support in order to complete daily activities. What makes this option so attractive? Here are the reasons we most often hear at  Lester Independent Living in Whippany, NJ : Maintaining independence  – Independent living communities are designed to keep seniors as independent as possible for as long as possible, allowing your loved one to maintain the lifestyle they prefer. In these communities, most of the support is aimed at reducing stress (maintenance, housekeeping and meals, among others) in order to give mom or dad more time to spend on the pursuits they love. Staying active  – Most seniors really value having a physically active life and would like to  stay mobile for as long as...