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...

  It’s common for many older adults to experience “senior moments.” They have memory lapses, misplace things or forget something they just witnessed. They also may forget the right word for a common object or have trouble performing everyday tasks. The normal process of aging is typically the culprit for “senior moments,” but sometimes there may be something more serious going on like Alzheimer’s disease.  Alzheimer’s is a neurodegenerative condition which affects the brain and its ability to function normally in areas such as memory, problem solving and language. Generally, it occurs in people over the age of 65, although in some cases, people develop it in their 40s and 50s. As one of the leading causes of dementia, it is estimated that Alzheimer’s affects around 5 million Americans – a number that is expected to increase as time goes on. In this article, our memory care team in Morris County will go over the signs of this disease, the difference between Alzheimer’s and de...

  Moving into an assisted living community is a big commitment. It’s important that your loved one feels confident, comfortable and happy with the community. Not only that, you and your extended family also need to consider the quality of mom or dad’s care and the proximity of the community to your current residences. After all, the  move to an assisted living facility  affects the entire family. That’s why it’s essential to ask all the right questions before coming to a final agreement on your loved one’s care.  Here are some helpful questions to ask when researching different options to help narrow down your search to the right community: 1.      Where is the assisted living community located?  Is it close to friends and family? Does your loved one know the area and enjoy it? These questions will help narrow down your geographic search. If your loved one likes the area and has good social and family connections in the neighborhood, then...

  We’ve never met a potato we didn’t like. Boiled, fried, mashed – you name it and we’ll eat it. If you’re craving more potato varieties to add to your weekly dinners, the chefs at the JCHC senior communities have put together a simple recipe for truffled potato croquettes. Not only is this recipe delicious, but it can also be completed in just 5 easy steps!   Serves 4. Cook Time: 30 mins.  Ingredients: 4 cups cooked mashed Yukon gold potatoes, warm white pepper to taste kosher salt to taste 3 egg yolks 1 tablespoon chopped black truffle slices, drained ½ tablespoon oregano ½ tablespoon purple basil, chopped 3 cups unbleached flour 3 cups Panko breadcrumbs 4 eggs lightly beaten for egg wash Directions: 1.      In a medium mixing bowl, blend warm potatoes, salt, pepper, oregano, and purple basil together. Then mix in your egg yolks last and make sure they are blended thoroughly. (If the m...