/ Independent Living

Dating Over 60 – Tips for Finding Love Later in Life

December 15, 2022

Dating can be an intimidating task at any age, but especially for older adults. It can feel like dating is a young person’s game, must be done online, and most people don’t date when they’re over 60.

Many older adults begin dating later in life due to a divorce or the death of a spouse, which can make the prospect all the more daunting. In many cases, this is all happening at a time when older adults’ social circles are shrinking. Retirement often means the loss of work friends. Friends and neighbors might relocate to be closer to their children and grandchildren.

Many of these worries are misconceptions that are either flat out false or can be looked at in a new and encouraging light. It’s important to remember love has no expiration date and dating after 60 years of age is common. Here are a few ideas to help you navigate dating in your 60s and beyond:

Dating in Your 60s: Tips, Tricks, and Advice

Sign up for a club, volunteer, or take a class:

This is one of the best ways to meet people at any age, but especially when you’re dating in your 60s. Like to give back? check out volunteering opportunities in your area. Want to stay active? Join a fitness class with Ageility. Like to learn? Paint in art class or learn a new language. Older adults who participate in activities reap many awards like lower rates of depression and cognitive decline, an opportunity to meet like-minded people, and more.

Join a senior center:

Most communities have a local senior center. They typically offer programs and activities for members that range from luncheons to yoga. Some even offer transportation for older adults who no longer drive. Membership fees are usually very affordable.

Be open to keeping relationships casual:

Don’t feel like you have to rush into anything when you meet someone new. Remember dating in your 60s is just about getting out there and having a good time at your own pace. Take the time to get to know someone, but if you find your stars align, by all means enjoy this new chapter!

Check out dating sites and apps:

At this moment, you’re living through the golden age of online dating. Never before has there been so many options, especially for seniors. Dating sites and apps offer age-specific, interest-specific, and life-style specific options so you can meet singles in their 60s, singles of a specific religious denomination, or singles who are farmers.

Connect with friends from the past:

Not sure if you’re ready for dating apps? Try reconnecting with friends. Worst case, you’ll get to spend quality time with a friend. Best case, you find someone who you’ll love spending every day with.

Dating After 60 in a Senior Living Community

Living at a senior living community is one of the best ways to foster any relationship—platonic or romantic. With plenty of activities, excellent local transportation to neighborhood attractions, and having your needs taken care of, you can dedicate your time to your friends and loved ones. Meet fellow residents at a community barbeque, a chair yoga class, or on a group excursion to a museum.

Explore New Connections at Five Star Senior Living

Dating can be daunting, intimidating, and nerve-wracking, but it can also be exciting, fun, and joyful. Remember you’re not alone, many older adults are looking for new and intimate connections—and many find them.

At Five Star communities, we offer the highest level of service so there’s always an activity to enjoy or an event to attend for a chance to find love and connection. Discover a community today.

Retirement Homes Aren’t Just for Retirees

June 15, 2021

Something to Look Forward To

Marilen Hartnett isn’t your typical senior living community resident. While most of the older adults living at The Horizon Club in Florida spend the daytime hours relaxing and enjoying retirement, Marilen heads to her office to do what she’s loved doing for 50 years: work. The full-time paralegal knew when she moved into the independent living community in 2014 at age 64 that she wouldn’t be retiring anytime soon. The death of her mother and a broken hip, though, made staying at home a lonely challenge. Moving into The Horizon Club offered a fresh start, one where she could keep working and not have to worry about chores and cooking at the end of a long work day. She hasn’t looked back since.

“Life is so much easier,” says Marilen while sitting outside waiting to watch another stunning Deerfield Beach sunset. “If you want an easier life in semi-retirement, this is the place. I’ve never regretted it at all.”

Every day, Marilen says, there’s something in the evening to enjoy. Trips to the movies, live music, interesting lectures, relaxing in the spa… “there’s just so much to do here,” she says. Having her pick of fun and diverse activities in the evening also makes her that much more excited to start her day. “You don’t miss anything except the activities during the day, and it gives you something to look forward to when you get home,” she says.

The best part? All the parts of life she doesn’t look forward to—chores, cleaning, cooking, running errands, etc.—are taken care of. She says she’s often tired at the end of the work day and it’s a relief to come home and not have to do it all herself. If she’s having any issues, whether it’s a broken AC or feeling under the weather, she adds that there’s comfort in knowing she doesn’t have to go somewhere or search online for hours for a solution. Help is just one call away, or she’ll just bring it up during her daily check-up call from a Five Star staff member. “It leaves you so much more free time to take advantage of all the freedom and choices you have here,” she says.

No matter your age, when moving into a new community, there’s always that fear that you won’t fit in. Marilen wasn’t sure at first if she’d completely feel included when she joined the Horizon Club community, but those worries quickly went away once she was warmly welcomed by her fellow residents. Even though she’s one of the few still working, she says that being out during the day hasn’t made it difficult to make friends. Since she doesn’t have to cook if she doesn’t want to, she often dines with her fellow residents in the evening to socialize.

“I never sit alone,” she says. “It’s great to know that I can keep my outside friends while making fascinating new friends on the inside.”

Senior Living Community Camaraderie: Turning Off-Hours to Happy Hours

To Ambrose Siers, a resident of Meadowmere, an independent living community in Oak Creek, WI, the friends he’s made since moving in with his wife Laverle last March have become a “loving community that’s more like a family.” The 87-year-old Ambrose is no stranger to the Meadowmere community. He’s been offering religious services at Meadowmere as the pastoral minister for the nearby St. James Catholic Church there for over a decade and has become a beloved member of the community since. It was only natural that the pair would eventually move into their own Meadowmere apartment when the time came. It doesn’t hurt that his commute to the people he serves is now just a walk around the neighborhood.

“The choice was perfect for us,” says Ambrose. “There’s great camaraderie here and I feel that my job is to keep engendering and nourishing that spirit.”

Ambrose is a self-proclaimed “people person” and says one of the biggest things that appealed to him about independent living is choosing how sociable to be each day and making your own schedule. After writing and sending out his daily spiritual reflection, you’ll likely find him either making pastoral visits to residents, dabbling in his newfound hobby of watercolor painting, or enjoying a cocktail during his favorite part of the day: happy hour in the afternoon. For someone who’s still working, he says, knowing friends and fun await make all those meetings and emails so much more bearable.

“No matter how work was that day, it’s a great feeling knowing that at the end of the day you’re coming home to a loving community where you can relax with no pressures,” he says.

The Perfect Work/Life Balance

Though hundreds of miles apart, Marilen and Ambrose echo that moving into an independent living community was one of the best decisions they’ve ever made. They’re not the only ones. A growing number of older adults who want to work past the typical retirement years are finding that joining a senior living community offers a support system far better than what they have at home. Whether it’s the wide variety of planned activities available during their off-hours, the worry-free lifestyle, or the many new friends they’ve made since moving in, the pair aren’t just living out their golden years while still working, they’re thriving. They emphasize that moving into an independent living community isn’t retiring, but starting a new chapter of your life where you can fully enjoy doing the things you love and age in place with like-minded people who will make you feel right at home after a day at the office. No more working for the weekend. For Marilen and Ambrose, every evening offers something to look forward to. Work/life balance doesn’t get any better than that.

Want to learn more about independent living at Five Star? Find a senior living community near you.

55+ Communities vs Independent Living: How do they Differ?

May 19, 2021

You hear it all the time: Sixty is the new forty. Seventy is the new fifty. With people living longer, yesterday’s definitions of “old” no longer apply.

Today’s older adults are redefining what is possible later in life. More and more, stories appear in the news about people in their seventies and eighties—and even nineties—running road races, doing gymnastics, performing stand-up comedy, even going into the recording studio.

Perhaps that’s why, just as “old” no longer describes today’s aging adults, “retirement community” no longer describes the incredible variety of living options available to people in their later years. The range is remarkable. Some choose 55-plus communities that attract empty-nesters. Many prefer independent living communities that provide activities and dining. And others opt for assisted living communities, where residents need help with daily tasks such as getting dressed in addition to having access to nursing care. No matter what level of services and amenities offered, however, what these senior living communities have in common is that they are not about slowing down but ramping up—and living life to its fullest.

55+ Communities vs. Independent Living

For most healthy adults considering moving to a senior living community for the first time, the two most common options are 55-plus and independent living communities. Although there’s no hard-and-fast definition of either type, there are key differences in how they tend to be described or categorized. Understanding those differences and what is more typical of one over the other can help you evaluate which would better serve your needs.

55+ Communities vs. Independent Living Comparison Table
	55+ Communities	Independent Living
What services are provided?	55+ complexes offer the convenience of providing maintenance of the building, grounds and apartment.	Independent living communities offer a stress-free lifestyle where the hassles of life—like home upkeep, cooking and cleaning—are taken care of so you can spend more time enjoying all the activities and amenities your community offers.
What amenities are provided?	There may be a clubhouse with planned social activities in a 55+ community. The availability and quality of amenities can vary widely by complex.	Convenient access to on-site shared dining spaces, pools, libraries, game rooms and a wide variety of community activities ensures that there’s never a shortage of ways to spend your days in independent living.
Own or rent?	There are many 55+ communities where residents own their houses or condominiums, while others may offer rental properties. Bear in mind that 55-plus communities featuring home ownership are likely governed by a homeowners association (HOA) and include an HOA fee. Also factor into your decision-making the lack of flexibility when selling a house in a 55+ community. Often the choice is limited to approved realtors and the target population of purchasers is limited to the 55+ age range.	Independent living residents generally rent their houses or apartments, although the “rent” includes much more than a roof over one’s head. Ownership is more typical of 55+ communities, while renting is more typical of independent living, but neither community type is exclusively one or the other.
How much does it cost?	The cost to rent a senior apartment varies. There are, however, affordable options like low-income apartments that cap rent and utilities at about 30 percent of income. Market rate apartments with costs at or slightly below the cost of local all-age apartments and luxury senior apartments are other available options.	Communities vary widely in terms of cost, which can range from $2,000 to $5,000 or more a month. A number of factors determine what you pay, like the type of community and location. Download our FREE Guide to the Cost of Senior Living eBook to learn more and get the answers you need.
How do I find a community near me?	Your best bet is to search online for 55+ communities or contact your local housing authority and ask about senior apartment options in your area.	The best place to start is to search online for “independent living communities” or use Five Star’s easy Find a Community search tool to discover select communities in your area.

4 Important Questions to Ask When Deciding Between a 55+ Community and Independent Living

Are you a DIYer or are you ready to give up the to-do list?

People living in 55-plus communities can purchase housekeeping, lawn care and other services just as they could for their prior home. But that means managing various vendors and costs can add up quickly. Independent living residents enjoy the convenience of living within a community where services and amenities such as housekeeping, dining and transportation are included in the monthly fee. In some instances, independent living residents have the option of assistance with daily tasks and support services if needed, which is important for residents who have chronic or degenerative conditions.

Do you like an active social life?

While both options present opportunities for social gatherings, independent living communities typically have program directors who fill the calendar with game nights, happy hours and plenty of other ways to make new friends and have fun. With 55-plus communities, the level of social activity may depend on the particular character of the neighborhood, especially if the community lacks an in-house programming component. Another important difference is that independent living communities typically include dining services led by highly trained chefs, while some 55-plus communities may offer communal kitchen and dining spaces but no food services.

Another amenity offered by independent living is complimentary transportation within a radius. This is a popular feature for individuals who are experiencing diminished vision or simply prefer to be chauffeured.

Would you like to worry less about the future?

No one likes to admit it, but eventually our bodies wear down and need some tender loving care. Some independent living communities include access to onsite physical and occupational therapy, assistive services and nursing care, all to help residents maintain their highest level of independence for as long as possible. Availability of these services may vary widely in 55-plus communities.

How do you define “independence?”

For some, independence means doing everything or most things yourself, as is more likely in a 55-plus community. For others, independence may include finally being free of household chores, maintenance, grocery shopping and other tasks so you can do more of what you love or have been meaning to get to—such as traveling the world, visiting the grandkids or pursuing a hobby or passion that for years has been filed under “Someday.” If the latter, an independent living community may be for you.

Independent living communities: a greater value?

We’re biased, of course, but based on all these criteria, the scales seem to tip in favor of independent living communities as offering greater value—and a smarter long-term strategy—when considering options for a “retirement” community. If you would like to be freed of home maintenance, errands and obligations, and instead spend your time choosing from an array of activities and outings with a lively social circle of friends—what some might call real independence—take a look at independent living communities. There’s nothing retiring about them!

See the difference

Make your declaration of independence. Find out if there’s a Five Star Senior Living community near you. We’ll arrange a tour so you can see for yourself just how much you have to look forward to.

How Much Does Independent Living Cost? And is it Worth it?

April 26, 2021

Retirement is something most people look forward to for years. Trips abroad, seeing the country, rediscovering hobbies and reawakening passions long submerged during the childrearing and working years is a vivid image for many. Once you retire, however, things might not go as hoped or planned. The household chores and maintenance that kept you busy all those years haven’t gone away, and sometimes they’ve become harder to do. A bigger portion of your budget goes toward hired services, such as lawn care. Those costs and the cost of upkeep for your home can then limit your travel plans, and you may feel ready to direct your time and energy toward your family and living life in retirement to the fullest without being burdened by the stress of home upkeep. This is where independent living comes in.

Moving to an independent living community can be a big transition, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by different amenities and fees when looking for the right independent living community for you. This article will provide answers to all of your questions, including:

How much does independent living actually cost, and is it worth it?
How does the cost of independent living compare with staying at home?
Can I afford independent living? How can I pay for it?

Read on to learn more about what living in an independent living community is like, how much it costs, and how you can make it work (financially and otherwise!) for you.

What is an independent living community?

Independent living communities, also known as retirement communities, are senior living neighborhoods designed especially for older adults. They are a good option for folks in their sixties, seventies, eighties and beyond who want to spend more time living and less time ‘doing,’ as in handling the burdens of home ownership.

Are independent living communities expensive?

You may be under the impression that independent living communities are expensive, but you may be surprised by just how affordable they really are. In fact, once you consider all you get when you move to independent living, you might consider it a best buy.

How much does independent living cost?

The average cost of senior independent living in the US is between $2,000-$5,000 per month, but varies widely depending on several factors like location, services, and amenities. Five Star communities come in all shapes and sizes and are located across the country in rural and urban settings. Each community offers unique amenities, but they all offer the same dedication and excellence to residents.

Factors that Affect How Much Independent Living Costs

Type of independent living community. A stand-alone independent living community, for example, might offer fewer features and amenities but be more affordable. Many independent living communities are priced similarly to a typical apartment in the area. An independent living community located on the campus of a continuing care community, however, will likely come with more services and amenities, which may result in a higher price tag.

Location. The location of an independent living community has a big impact on its cost, as cost of living varies widely in different areas of the country. Major metropolitan areas typically have multiple senior living options but a higher cost of living. That translates to higher monthly fees. Cost of independent living will be higher in the more desirable neighborhoods. Size matters, too. Square footage of your independent living floor plan will influence the monthly fee.

Services and Amenities Included in Independent Living. The financial, physical, and emotional costs of caring for your lawn, keeping up with home maintenance, and cooking every meal can add up. What’s important to remember is that the services provided by an independent living community come at a cost that is actually a bargain when you consider what it could cost to purchase services separately. Lawn care, upkeep, housekeeping—these costs can add up quickly.

What is included in the average monthly cost for independent living?

The true value of independent living goes far beyond a new place to call home. Independent living communities offer a wide variety of amenities and services included in the monthly cost to make your retirement as stress-free and enriching as possible. Amenities and fees vary by community, but here is just a sampling of what may be included in your monthly costs when moving to an independent living community:

Housekeeping, maintenance and groundskeeping services
One aspect of independent living communities that cannot be overstated is the convenience factor. There are team members to take care of chores, such as housekeeping, maintenance, snow removal and lawn care.

Spacious floor plans including studio, one, or two-bedroom apartments. When it comes to senior living housing, there’s a misconception that rooms are small, institutional, or look like college dorms. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Five Star independent living apartments are charmingly designed, comfortably spacious, and come in a variety of sizes and styles. Plus, every apartment comes equipped with great amenities to make you feel right at home.

Nutritious, chef-prepared meals served restaurant-style in the dining room.
Older adults sometimes say their relationship with food has changed with age—not just eating but cooking as well. That’s understandable when you consider that some medications decrease appetite and special diets limit options. Chronic medical conditions such as diabetes or heart disease also play a part. Take out the salt and sugar, and suddenly food becomes less interesting. Most independent living communities are aware of this and offer a variety of healthy meal options that still please the palate. Some communities accommodate restricted diets. For those who love to cook or make their own food for health reasons, some offer a kitchen or kitchenette in each apartment to give the home chef a culinary playground.

Utilities.
The cost of utilities is different in every community, but often are included in the monthly room costs. These utilities can include cable television, electricity, internet, housekeeping, and water all bundled together for one convenient monthly cost.

A sense of community and a full calendar of active senior activities and clubs to choose from.
Moving to an independent living community can significantly improve older adults’ quality of life. Residents in these communities are often close in age and share similar interests with their neighbors. Communities also offer both formal and informal opportunities for connecting. A morning cup of coffee and conversation in the lounge or garden is a great way to start the day. Joining friends for restaurant-style lunch or dinner makes mealtime more enjoyable and meaningful. And playing a game of cards in the den can end the day with a smile. There’s no shortage of activities to dive into. (In fact, you may find you have too much to do, but in a good way.)

Transportation services for errands, appointments and other community outings.
Independent living communities at Five Star offer you the ability to get where you need to go. Transportation services offer scheduled rides to doctor’s appointments, grocery stores, and fun community outings to museums and entertainment.

Wellness programs and senior-friendly fitness activities. Onsite senior fitness classes build not just strength and flexibility but social connections. Feel refreshed after a sit and stretch class, head to the pool for water aerobics, or join a walking club to make your mornings active.

Safe and secure environment where medical care is easily accessible if needed.
Because safety is often a concern—especially as people age and walking becomes more difficult—residences are designed with the needs of older adults in mind, such as handrails, grab bars, emergency call systems and good lighting. If a medical emergency does occur, there are systems in place to summon help.

Access to on-site amenities.
Enjoy life at home with movie nights, game clubs, barber shop/hair salon, heated pool, library, physical therapy services, and more.

How much does independent living cost compared to aging in place?

The cost saving benefits of independent living don’t stop at utilities and home maintenance. Independent living at a senior living community gives you the freedom and purpose to pursue hobbies, make meaningful social connections, and stay engaged with an array of activities.

Many communities offer independent living and assisted living under the same roof so you can age in place if you require more medical and daily assistance. The transition from independent to assisted living can be smooth while you reap the benefits of a stress-free lifestyle focused on enhancing your independence.

How can I pay for independent living?

There are ways to make independent living more affordable with every budget. Though most seniors pay for independent living with private funds, the monthly cost of independent living can become much more manageable through senior living financing options like:

A Bridge Loan or Senior Line-of-Credit: These short-term, “interest-only” loans help fund assisted living costs until the necessary money comes in.
Deferred Annuity with Long-term Care Rider: Rather than making monthly insurance payments, the investor places a lump sum of money into a deferred annuity. They can then withdraw the money, tax-free and without any IRS penalties, to pay for assisted living.
Life Settlement Accounts: With a life settlement agreement, a senior sells their life insurance to a third party and receives a lump sum payment.
Veteran’s Benefits: US veterans and the surviving spouses of veterans can receive monthly benefits to pay for assisted living through the Aid and Attendance Benefit.

The Five Star Difference: Affordable, stress-free independent living

Moving to an independent living community is much more than a real estate decision; it’s a quality of life decision. The programs, services and amenities our independent living communities offer can take away the worry and add a lot of joy—not a bad tradeoff.

Five Star’s independent living experts are happy to help answer your questions about independent living costs and work with your budget.

In a Five Star independent living community, our residents enjoy the active lifestyle they deserve at a cost they can afford. Most importantly, though, they are welcomed into a new home sweet home where life is stress-free, and friends become family. Download our FREE Guide to the Cost of Senior Living eBook and find out if there’s a Five Star community near you to learn more.

How Often Does a Healthy Senior Need to See the Doctor?

November 19, 2020

Let’s face it, few of us are excited to make a doctor’s appointment. If you feel well and consider yourself healthy, it’s easy to think you don’t need an annual checkup. So, is it really necessary to see the doctor when you aren’t sick?

How frequently you should see a doctor when you feel healthy is a question often debated by adults. This is especially true for those who suffer from white coat syndrome, a term used to describe anxiety experienced during physician appointments. For some, white coat syndrome can be serious enough to cause a rapid rise in blood pressure.

While there’s no hard and fast rule on how often a healthy senior should visit their doctor, at least one wellness visit a year is essential.

4 Reasons Seniors Need a Yearly Physical Exam

Screenings: A yearly checkup gives your physician an opportunity to evaluate the need for and schedule routine health screenings, such as mammograms and colonoscopies.
Bloodwork: This visit will also give your doctor an opportunity to order and review routine bloodwork. Cholesterol screening, vitamin deficiencies, and diabetes testing are a few common ones.
Immunizations: Your doctor will likely discuss an immunization schedule with you. This can include when to get a flu shot and if you need a pneumonia or shingles vaccine.
Early intervention: When you are feeling great, an annual physical lets your physician confirm there’s nothing wrong. It also gives the doctor an opportunity to identify small issues before they become big problems. For example, frequent headaches might be a symptom of seasonal allergies that can be managed without medication. Your physician can likely offer some suggestions.

Take Advantage of the Medicare Wellness Visit

Medicare Part B and many Medicare Advantage plans will pay for one physician visit each year to assess a senior’s health. If you’ve been participating in Medicare Part B for at least one year, you are entitled to a Medicare Wellness Visit.

Fortunately, your Medicare Part B deductible won’t apply to this visit. However, there may be a co-pay or deductible that applies to any screenings or tests your doctor orders. If you have questions, speak with the billing specialist at your physician’s office for clarification.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Staying on top of the latest research and trends in aging, senior living, and caregiving can help you maintain your best quality of life at every age. One resource for doing so is the Five Star Senior Living Newsletter.

We invite you to subscribe to receive helpful information and guides delivered to your inbox every few weeks. No junk mail or selling your contact information, just timely, relevant articles you are sure to find useful!

Planning a Summer Vacation with a Grandchild

If you’re considering taking a summer vacation with the grandkids this year, you aren’t alone. Intergenerational trips are becoming increasingly popular. A road trip provides opportunities to bond and make lasting memories. The key is to plan and prepare well in advance.

4 Tips for a Successful Road Trip with the Grandkids

Choose a destination that appeals to everyone.

Keeping your budget in mind, talk with the grandkids about a few destinations. Ask them for suggestions too. If you haven’t done this before, consider taking a short trip close to the grandchildren’s home.

Consider your mode of transportation.

While air travel might be faster, a road trip can be more fun. The key is moderating how long you stay cooped up in the car. Make the drive pleasant with car games and fun breaks along the way. Dinosaur parks, petting zoos, and other unique attractions can be entertaining for kids of all ages.

Reserve rooms in family-friendly hotels.

Not every hotel is geared towards children. Even well-behaved kids can be noisy and busy. The last thing you want to worry about is keeping the kids quiet. Depending on the destination, this list from Trivago magazine may help you find a kid-friendly hotel.

Balance healthy food choices with fun ones.

While the grandkids might try their best to convince you a diet of milkshakes, burgers, and fries is healthy, we all know it’s not. Foods high in sugar, trans fat, and sodium aren’t good for anyone, but saying no repeatedly isn’t fun. Try to balance healthy choices with special requests from the grandkids.

Staycations with a Grandparent

If a road trip with the grandchildren isn’t feasible, consider a staycation instead. Even if you live in an assisted living community, you can still have fun with the grandkids this summer. “Visiting Assisted Living: 7 Fun Activities for the Grandkids” may give you some ideas.

If you are searching for an independent or assisted living community, we hope you will consider Five Star. With 270 communities in over 30 states, there are a variety of options from which to choose. Call us at (853) 457-8271 to learn more!

How Older Women Can Beat Aging Stereotypes

March 6, 2020

<!–[CDATA[The feminist movement has taken great strides since the 1960s, but older women still face a number of hurtful and harmful stereotypes.

Society may perceive older women as physically vulnerable, socially needy, unattractive, and less useful than their younger counterparts of childbearing and child-rearing age.

As a result, older women may experience self-esteem issues and even suffer from depression, which can then lead to physical ailments, reduced immunity, and diseases.

It’s a vicious circle.

Fortunately, women of all ages can beat the cycle by taking positive action against aging stereotypes.

Let’s look at three harmful stereotypes of older women and healthy ways to defeat these perceptions and prove that older women are very capable.

Stereotype: Older women are not tech-savvy and don’t understand computers, smartphones, and other modern devices.

Most of us have, at one time or another, been in the position of explaining email to an aging parent or showing a senior how Siri works. But if you showed a five-year-old a record player, they probably wouldn’t have a clue how to use it, either.

It’s not that seniors can’t learn technology. It’s just new and unfamiliar to them.

However, most seniors are willing to learn. Older women can bust the tech-stereotype by taking classes in anything from graphic design to spreadsheets. They can be successful eBay sellers, bloggers, and even Web designers.

All it takes is some practice and patience.

Stereotype: Older women are frail.

It’s true that post-menopausal women are at greater risk of osteoporosis, or low bone density, which can increase the risk of fractures. But most senior women are anything but weak or frail. Osteoporosis risk factors may be reduced by a healthy lifestyle, which includes:

not smoking
reducing alcohol consumption
exercising regularly
getting a bone density scan annually after the age of 65

Hormone replacement therapy to replace estrogen lost during menopause may also help some women reduce their risk of osteoporosis.

Women in senior living communities may practice martial arts, Tai Chi, and yoga. They can take Zumba lessons or ballroom dancing. Then there are 60-year-old women who participate in extreme obstacle course races like Mudderella, a 7-mile race with obstacles that test strength and endurance.

Many of these athletes are over 50 and anything but weak!

Stereotype: Older women are socially needy and clingy.

Sure, older women need companionship, friendship, and conversation.

Don’t we all?

A senior faced with moving from her lifetime home, saying good-bye to friends she’s known for years, and giving up her vehicle may feel lonely. But that loneliness doesn’t have to last.

Today’s senior living communities offer endless opportunities for socialization, enrichment, and physical activity. Older women (and men, for that matter) can connect with peers who share similar interests. They’ll also have the opportunity to discover new hobbies.

Senior life is anything but lonely in the right environment. It’s easy to beat aging stereotypes and feel good about yourself in a comfortable community where you feel as if you belong.

Tips For Selling A Seniors Home

<!–[CDATA[Once you’ve decided to sell a senior’s home, you may want to consider doing more than just tidying up and making small repairs. According to a 2015 report by the National Association of Realtors, “thirty-seven percent of sellers’ agents believe that staging a home increases the dollar value buyers are willing to offer by up to five percent.”

Home staging has become increasingly popular over the past decade. Both realtors and sellers are convinced that it not only will help your home sell for more money, but sell faster as well.

If you’re not sure how to start the staging process, here are a few tips to help.

Pick the Most Important Rooms to Stage

The goal of staging a home is to allow buyers to envision themselves living there. Before you start feeling overwhelmed about having to redecorate the whole house, the National Association of Realtors ranked rooms in order of importance for staging:

Living Room
Kitchen
Master Bedroom
Dining Room
Bathroom
Children’s Rooms
Guest Rooms

Don’t feel as though you have to tackle ALL of these rooms either. If time or money is an issue, it is best to tackle the three most important rooms.

Lighten Up

Lighting plays an important role in presentation when anything is on display, including a home. Natural light can have a positive effect on a home buyer.

Be sure to clean the inside and outside of all windows and keep the shades or drapes open for showings. If natural lighting isn’t an option for certain spaces, invest in bright table lamps and floor lamps. Just be sure to leave the lights on for showings!

Get Rid of Clutter

This tip rings true for the entire house. Essentially, you should have most of your personal items boxed up and out of sight before you host showings in your home.

Make sure to keep all personal photographs and keepsakes out of sight. This will further aid in allowing the potential buyer to envision themselves living in your home.

Also, clear the closets of any clutter. Just be sure to leave a few items hanging to make the closets look clean and large.

Neutral Colors

Staging doesn’t necessarily have to involve painting the walls, although if paint is in poor shape, or chipping, it is highly recommended. If you do choose to paint the walls, be sure to pick neutral colors so as not to overwhelm potential buyers or turn them off from the home.

And if you are keeping existing furniture in the house, consider using neutral-colored slipcovers on chairs and couches to help keep it looking fresh and clean.

Choose Smart Accessories

Rugs and mirrors might not seem like a deal-breaker, but choosing the right ones can have a big impact on selling a senior’s home.

Professional home stager, Patti Stern, told the National Association of Realtors that she loves using rugs because “they can dress up any space. We sometimes even layer rugs over existing carpeting to play down flaws and update an all sea of beige carpeting. Rugs can anchor furniture and often better showcase hardwood floors.”

Natalie Gray is another professional home stager. Natalie recommends using mirrors to stage rooms because “they play many roles. They can make a space feel larger, increase light in a room, act as artwork to create a mood, and they can reflect a great view.”

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If you’d like additional information about selling a senior’s home–including tips for downsizing and why you should hire a Senior Move Manager–subscribe to our Indiana Senior Living blog. By becoming a subscriber, you can choose to have these helpful articles delivered straight to your inbox each week or month.

How to Use Sports and Hobbies to Bond with Grandkids

<!–[CDATA[Making meaningful connections with grandchildren builds memories that last a lifetime. Finding ways to bond, especially as they grow older, can be challenging. This is especially true if you live far from your grandkids and don’t have the advantage of being involved in their everyday lives.

Combining the grandchildren’s favorite hobbies and interests with today’s technologies might be the key.

Finding Common Ground

Depending upon your grandchildren’s ages, hobbies and sports can be a great place to start. Here are a few ideas to help you find common ground and build memories:

Shared passion for sports

Does your grandchild love baseball or competitive swimming? Do they play a sport or have a favorite professional team? If you can’t attend games in person, use technology to virtually cheer them on.

Have your adult child call you via a video chat service so you can watch part of the game. Some youth sports teams have apps that make it easier to follow along in real time. Families with a swim team member, for example, can use Meet Management.

Following professional teams together is another opportunity for bonding. Schedule dates to watch games together whether in person or virtually. Send your grandchild a package with team memorabilia to wear during games. Then have your own post-game analysis. Doing so over a hot fudge sundae or box of popcorn is even better.

Virtual bedtime stories

Most kids love reading a bedtime story—or ten! Getting in on story time is another great way to bond. Whether it’s across town or on the other side of the globe, you can read to your grandkids using an app like Caribu. They allow you to see one another while you read.

The app contains hundreds of books you can read together, such as Thomas the Tank Engine and The Wizard of Oz. You can also play games through the app, including kids’ perennial favorite, tic-tac-toe.

Arts and crafts

Children often enjoy creating masterpieces. From drawing and coloring to painting and pottery, there are many opportunities for you to connect with your grandchildren over artwork. The good news is you don’t have to be especially crafty.

When the grandkids live close, you can shop together. Craft stores usually carry pre-packaged projects. Garden stones, birdhouses, model cars and airplanes, stained glass ornaments, and paint-by-numbers are just a few. Most are reasonably priced.

You can purchase and send a kit to faraway family members and keep one for yourself. Connect virtually to craft together.

The Benefits of Intergenerational Bonds

Intergenerational bonds are the backbone of strong families. Research shows the benefits are immediate and long-lasting for both the senior and the grandchildren.

For the younger generation, spending time with family elders increases self-esteem and contributes to healthier attitudes about aging. For seniors, time with grandchildren creates joy and a more positive outlook. When families bond in person, older adults reap the rewards of being more physically active.

Intergenerational Activities at Five Star Senior Living

At Five Star Senior Living, we believe in the power of intergenerational bonds. You’ll find a host of activities intended to encourage those relationships all year long. From family parties to movie nights, the environment is designed to keep loved ones and residents close.

Call us at (853) 457-8271 to learn more and set up a time for a private tour!

Games and Activities That Help You Stay Mentally Sharp

<!–[CDATA[Keeping your brain fit requires regularly giving it a good workout. Just like fitness is important for the rest of the body, activities that challenge the brain are essential for staying mentally sharp during retirement.

What activities and games stimulate the brain?

Here is a list of several you can explore.

Brain Aerobics: Exercises to Promote Better Cognitive Health

Play card games: Playing cards with a group of friends or a game of solitaire on your own can provide your brain with the workout it needs. Games that challenge concentration, memory, and critical thinking are best. Bridge, poker, gin rummy, and blackjack fill those requirements. Even a game of Go Fish! with the kids works.
Host a game night: Research shows board games stimulate the brain. Like playing cards with friends, the interaction adds another layer of brain-boosting benefits. You can schedule a game night to play chess, checkers, Scrabble, backgammon, or dominoes. When you are on your own, jigsaw or crossword puzzles might help, too.
Take a class: Learning new things challenges the brain. A simple way is taking a class. Foreign languages, arts and crafts, cooking, or a writing workshop can feed the brain.
Make music: Learning how to play a musical instrument is another activity that strengthens the brain. Check out your local senior center or community college to find inexpensive music classes.
Put down the calculator: Instead of using a calculator, try mental math. Balance your checkbook the old-fashioned way each month. Keep a running tally in your head as you make your way through the grocery store.
Engage in physical exercise: According to the Alzheimer’s Research & Prevention Foundation, you can reduce your risk of developing a memory-related illness by as much as 50 percent by getting regular exercise. Engaging in at least 150 minutes of exercise each week is ideal. It should be a combination of cardio, flexibility, and strength training activities.

The Five Star Senior Living Blog

If you found this article to be of interest, it may help to know we update this blog several times each week. By subscribing to or bookmarking the Five Star Senior Living Blog, you’ll stay updated on the latest news on aging, caregiving, housing, and more.

We also invite you to tour one of our communities if you are searching for independent living, assisted living, or a memory care community. Call us at (853) 457-8271 to set up a time.