Jewish Community Housing Corporation of Metropolitan NJ

When first looking into senior living options, you may come across the term “supported independent living,” or “Independent Living with Assistance.” But what does that mean exactly and how does it differ from assisted living?  Independent living with support  is the best of both worlds for seniors who would like to continue to direct their lives, have increased socialization options, live in a secure community, with options for light assistance if needed. It is the middle ground between assisted living and just moving into an over 55 community. This type of senior living option also varies depending on the community that offers it. We think the independent living setup at Lester Senior Living in Morris County is truly unique and appealing to a wide variety of independent-minded seniors. Benefits of Independent Living with Support at Lester Senior Living  Perhaps one of the first and most important aspects of Lester Independent Senior Living is that it is truly separat...

This centuries-old cookie is a staple in our culture. Even though Mandelbrot has been around for so long, there are many different variations to enjoy. Variations that include dried fruit, nuts, and even sprinkles! But for today, we’re going to share the signature recipe from our chefs at Lester Senior Living. Did we mention it includes chocolate chips?  Yum.  Mandelbrot Ingredients: 3 cups flour 1 ½ tsp baking powder 3 eggs 1 cup sugar ½ cup chocolate chips 2 tsp vanilla extract 1 tsp almond extract 1 cup melted butter or extra virgin olive oil ¼ tsp salt Mandelbrot Directions: Grab a large glass bowl and mix the flour, baking powder and salt together and set aside.  In a separate bowl, beat the eggs and sugar until smooth.  After it’s smooth, whisk in the butter or olive oil, the vanilla extract and almond extract.  Combine this mixture with the flour, baking powder and salt you set aside earlier unti...

With the winter holidays coming and caregivers planning some time off, concern for senior loved ones is also on the horizon for many people. Who will watch out for mom and dad’s daily needs while I’m away? And, will their interests be attended to in ways that will keep them happy and safe? These concerns are even more magnified when your loved one suffers from a memory loss condition.  For older adults with dementia, Lester Senior Living provides  short-term respite stays  in our Memory Care Suite. These stays allow seniors with memory disorders to enjoy the safety, security and warmth of a true home-away-from-home, with personalized attention from specially trained caregivers who support each resident’s needs. This is an extension of our assisted living respite program. All respite stays are available for anywhere from ten days to two months, ideal for when family members or regular caregivers are away for short periods of time or need a break. Respite care for senio...

Alzheimer’s disease is a diagnosis that not only your loved one, but the whole family as well. Life is going to change, and mom or dad will require more help and supervision on a day to day basis. The degree of this help will vary depending on what stage your loved one is at in the disease. In most cases, Alzheimer’s symptoms manifest slowly through three stages: mild, moderate, and severe. However, everyone who has this memory disorder experiences symptoms differently. If you are a  caregiver to someone with Alzheimer’s , our professional memory care team at Lester Senior Living has compiled different ways to navigate each stage of this disease, so you can better help your loved one.   Caring for a loved one with mild Alzheimer’s disease People with mild Alzheimer’s often live independent lives, caring for themselves, driving, paying bills and meeting up with friends. However, they may experience memory lapses, lose things, forget what they just heard, or be una...

  Have you or your senior loved one considered community-style living? It’s never an easy choice to make, but there comes a time when it’s the smartest and safest choice for everyone involved in the family dynamic. Luckily, senior living has come a long way in terms of the choices available and the varying levels of care offered at each facility. With that being said, you may be wondering which is the more appropriate choice: assisted living or independent living? We’ve highlighted the main advantages of both options at Lester Senior Living to give you or your loved one better insight on what we have to offer at our  senior community in Morris County, NJ . Independent living at Lester Independent living communities are for seniors who require very little to no assistance. They are often “empty-nesters” who realize they want to be around people their own age more, who also share the same interests. These older adults have also realized they no longer want to deal with the stres...

Fall is finally here! The leaves are changing, there is a crisp feeling in the air and it is time to indulge in all the foods classic to this season, like apples, pumpkins and butternut squash. If you’re planning to share a meal under the Sukkah, butternut squash soup is the perfect, fall comfort food. Especially if it is a chilly autumn day. This butternut squash soup is a favorite of our chefs and residents at  JCHC’s Lester Senior Living . We highly recommend making extra because this soup can easily be reheated, and will be just as delicious to have again later in the week!  Butternut Squash Soup Ingredients:  1 Large butternut squash  1 Yellow onion Garlic (measure with your heart) Broth of your choosing (we recommend vegetable or chicken) Extra virgin olive oil Spices: sage, rosemary, ginger, salt and freshly ground black pepper Parsley for garnish How to Make Fall Butternut Squash Soup:  Chop your b...

Many seniors may argue that moving into a senior living community relinquishes independence, but we’re here to tell you why the opposite is true.  Living in a senior community  marks the beginning of independence by letting go of household chores and other mundane daily tasks and making more room for the things you actually enjoy! If you’re debating whether or not community living is a good choice for you, here are some signs that you’re ready for this new chapter in your life.  Sign #1. You’re ready to throw in the dish towel.  We’re sure at this point in your life, you are no longer cooking for an army of children. It may be just you, or you and your spouse you have to worry about. After years and years of preparing meals, we think you’ve paid your dues! When someone else cooks for you it eliminates the pent-up stress of going to the store, finding the right ingredients, and following an intricate recipe. Not to mention, you’re also eliminating the nightly deba...