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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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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

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Does a Senior Have Depression or the Holiday Blues?

As the air gains a chill and the twinkling lights start to shine, we know it’s time to prepare for the holidays. This jolly season brings plenty of joy and cheer, but it can also bring a host of stressful triggers that may impact your senior loved one.

With all the shopping sprees, cleaning spurts, financial obligations and obligatory visits, anxiety levels can quickly switch into overdrive, leaving seniors with a case of the holiday blues.

If you notice your loved one is feeling down in the dumps, it’s important to note all their symptoms to discover the cause.

Common Depression Symptoms

According to the experts at The Mayo Clinic, typical signs of depression in older adults include:

  • Changes in personality
  • Struggles with memory
  • Physical aches and pains
  • Fatigue
  • Loss of appetite
  • Insomnia
  • Lack of socialization
  • Suicidal thoughts
  • Lack of energy

Is it Depression or the Holiday Blues in a Senior?

Experts say comparing the holiday blues to depression is like comparing a cold to pneumonia. It’s important to understand the differences.

If your senior loved one experiences symptoms severe enough to decrease their overall happiness and causes them to withdraw from activities and social events, you should seek medical attention. These behaviors are often signs of depression. Nearly 16% of adults suffer from it and the holidays can be a trigger.

Questions to Ask to Determine What’s Ailing a Senior

If you can’t determine whether your loved one’s symptoms are related to depression or the holiday blues, ask yourself the following questions:

When did their symptoms begin?

If your loved one started showing signs of depression as the holiday madness began, it could be related to the season. The added stimulation and pressure during this time of year can increase anxiety in seniors.

What is triggering the symptoms?

Does your loved one live alone? Social isolation is a common factor that leads to depression. The holidays can be especially tough.

Is your aging family member quickly agitated when you take them to the department store on a busy holiday shopping weekend? Crowds of hurried shoppers can create anxiety that may lead to the holiday blues.

The best way to take note of potential triggers and spot a trend is to create a logbook. By tracking behaviors and their potential link to activities, you are one step closer to understanding the cause behind your loved one’s symptoms.

Are these symptoms seasonal?

It’s best to start a logbook when you first notice depression-like symptoms in your senior loved one. Track changes in their personality throughout the season and note if these symptoms change.

If the symptoms stick around after the holidays are over, it’s best to consult with a professional and seek treatment.

Four Tips to Manage the Holiday Blues

If your aging loved one is feeling down this season, there are steps you can take to help them to improve their mood:

  1. Communicate with your loved one more often.

    If you notice a change in your senior loved one’s personality, talk to them. They may open up and tell you they are feeling lonely. The more you talk, the more you can understand what is causing these negative symptoms. If you live too far away to do this in person, consider using video chat services like Skype.

  2. Set a family budget.

    Many seniors are on a fixed income and the holiday expectations can play a huge role in anxiety levels. Squash the stress before it begins and set a family budget for gifts. Take into consideration everyone’s finances and diminish burdens by setting clear boundaries early on.

  3. Create a schedule for family events.

    As seniors age, keeping up the hurried pace of the holidays can be challenging for older adults. It is stressful enough sometimes just trying to keep up with routine daily activities. When the holiday chaos is thrown into the mix, it adds another layer of uncertainty. To help, create a schedule that you can print out and share with your senior loved one. It will give them peace of mind they aren’t forgetting about something and allow them to properly plan for each occasion.

  4. Keep health in mind.

It’s easy to indulge during the holidays, but unhealthy habits may contribute to the holiday blues in a senior loved one. Sugar and alcohol can trigger depression-like symptoms. Avoid these negative outcomes by offering healthy options at family functions and limiting alcoholic drinks.

The holidays can be an overwhelming time for older adults. By staying observant and helping your senior loved one manage the holiday rush, you can help overcome their holiday blues and create a joyous season for the entire family.

Learn About the Financial Scams that Target Seniors

If you watch the evening news, you know seniors are often the target of fraud and financial scams. They lose their life savings by putting their trust in the wrong person.

There are a variety of reasons seniors are targeted for financial scams. In general, this generation was raised to be polite. It’s why many older adults have a hard time closing the door on a door-to-door salesperson or hanging up on a telemarketer. Seniors, especially those living alone, may be lonely and more willing to spend time talking with a stranger.

AARP estimates are that one in five seniors has fallen victim to fraud. Many are too embarrassed to let loved ones know what has happened to them.

What can you do to prevent the seniors in your life from being victimized?

It starts with making them aware of the most common risks.

The Scams that Target Older Adults

The most common types of financial scams to make your aging loved one aware of are:

  1. Pre-Planned Funerals and Cemetery Plots: Funerals and cemetery plots are two common places where fraud occurs. Scammers call or visit seniors’ homes to try to convince them to take care of both so their “children won’t have to.” Remind an aging parent never to sign a contract without having you and an attorney review it.
  2. Internet Fraud: Older adults who might not be as tech savvy as the younger generation can be more susceptible to online scams, including phishing emails. Help the senior in your life learn more by visiting the FBI’s Internet Fraud site. They provide examples of the most common types of online scams and tips to avoid falling victim.
  3. Reverse Mortgages: These specialty loans provide seniors with the income they sometimes need to finance home care or other care needs. Reverse mortgages are designed to allow older adults to take advantage of the equity in their home. Unfortunately, scammers use illegal or unethical programs to defraud seniors of their homes or money. AARP has resources you can use to better understand reverse mortgages and how to find a legitimate lender for an aging loved one.
  4. You’ve Won Big: Seniors often receive “prize notifications” by phone or mail. These fraudulent notices say the older adult has won everything from a tropical getaway to a free car, but the senior will need to pay taxes or a “processing fee.” Don’t do it. These are almost always a scam of some sort designed to gain access to a credit or debit card number.

Our final tip is to help spread the word about scams against seniors. Report them to your local authorities and to AARP’s ElderWatch.

Medicare Open Enrollment FAQ

Autumn brings changing temperatures and changing colors to most areas of the country. It’s also the one time of year when Medicare recipients can make changes to their coverage. But that isn’t always so easy to do.

Figuring out the benefits of each option and making a choice can be confusing for seniors and for their caregivers. Many people end up sticking with their current plan just to avoid having to make a decision. As a family caregiver you might find yourself struggling to provide assistance with this important task.

We thought it would be helpful to answer some of the more common questions we receive during Medicare Open Enrollment period.

Q: What are the dates for this year’s Medicare Open Enrollment?

A: The dates for Medicare Open Enrollment are the same every year. It begins on October 15th and goes through December 7th.

Q: What is an ANOC?

A: ANOC stands for Annual Notice of Change. You should receive this document in the mail in late September or early October each year. It contains an easy-to-read comparison chart of changes in coverage and costs. Read through it to review any changes in the cost of premiums, deductibles and co-pays.

Q: If I’m happy with my current plan do I have to fill out new forms or do anything to renew my coverage?

A: Medicare doesn’t require you to do anything to continue with your current plan for 2016. But it is important to make time to at least review your ANOC so you are aware of any changes in price or covered services.

Q: If I do decide to make a change, when will the new plan take effect?

A: Changes made during the 2015 Medicare Open Enrollment period will take effect on January 1, 2016.

Q: How can I explore other options for coverage?

A: Medicare Plan Finder and Medicare Mini-Check are sites you can use to locate plans offered in your area or that of your senior loved one.

Q: What does Medicare Part C coverage provide?

A: Medicare Advantage Plans fall under Medicare Part C. These plans are offered through private insurance companies Medicare has contracted with for Medicare A and B benefits.

Q: If I don’t like the Medicare Advantage plan I have, when can I dis-enroll from it?

A: The Medicare Disenrollment Period takes place from January 1st through February 14th each year. During this time, you can withdraw from an advantage plan and enroll in traditional Medicare. The MADP worksheet explains your rights.

Q: How can I learn more about Medicare’s prescription drug coverage?

A: Medicare created the How to Get Prescription Drug Coverage tool to make it easier for enrollees to understand their drug plan options.

Our final tip is to remember that personal guidance is available to Medicare recipients in every state at no cost. To find a Medicare expert in your area visit Medicare’s Helpful Contacts.

 

Medicare Open Enrollment: Frequently Asked Questions

Medicare’s Open Enrollment period can be confusing. It often leaves seniors and their families with many questions.
The good news is you’ve come to the right place. This FAQ is provided by Five Star Senior Living to help answer your questions about Medicare Open Enrollment.

Q: What is the Medicare Open Enrollment Period?

A: Medicare Open Enrollment permits those enrolled in Medicare to make changes to their plan. This includes cost, coverage, and the insurance provider they choose to work with in the year ahead.

Q: When does Medicare Open Enrollment take place?  

A: Medicare Open Enrollment takes place every year from October 15th through December 7th.

This should not be confused with the Part B General Enrollment Period which runs from January 1st to March 31st. The General Enrollment period allows people already on Medicare to enroll in or change their prescription drug coverage.

Q: When do changes made during Open Enrollment go into effect?

A: Changes made during Medicare Open Enrollment go into effect January 1 of the following year.

Q: What are my choices for Medicare coverage during the Open Enrollment period?

A: During the Open Enrollment period, you can sign up for original Medicare (parts A and B), Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage), or a Medicare Advantage Plan (part C). A Medicare Advantage Plan includes prescription drug coverage and, often, a wider choice of in-network medical providers.

These plans are offered by private health insurance companies through an HMO or PPO.

Q: Can I change Medigap coverage during Fall Open Enrollment?

A: Depending on where you live, you may or may not be able to change your Medigap coverage during the October through December Open Enrollment period. The best time to change coverage is during your initial six-month Medicare enrollment period when you enroll in Medicare Part B. 

Q: Why would I want to make changes to my Medicare plan?

A: There are a number of reasons to change your Medicare plan. Perhaps you want to start seeing a new specialist, but the practice isn’t covered under your existing plan.

If you recently moved, you might want to find a plan with more providers in your new area.

Maybe you’ve experienced financial hardship and want to find a plan that costs less. Or just the opposite. Maybe circumstances have changed and you’re able to pay a little bit more for better coverage.

In addition, each year Medicare plans and options change. You may be able to find a more desirable plan—with a wider range of providers in your network—for the same or less money.

Q: Where can I learn more about my Medicare options?

A: Information about Medicare plans for the new year typically becomes available on the Medicare website in October.

To review your choices in Medicare plans, use the Plan Finder Tool on the Medicare website.

Have more questions about Medicare Open Enrollment?
The experts at Five Star Senior Living offer resources devoted to financial planning and more

Decluttering before a Move to a Retirement Community

<!–[CDATA[The process of downsizing often begins with decluttering. If you are contemplating relocating to a retirement community in the months ahead, getting rid of unwanted and unused items now can jumpstart preparations for the move. Mental health experts also say decluttering—whether in anticipation of a move or not—is energizing and uplifting.

 

Proven health benefits of decluttering your home include:

  • Less risk of a fall: From piles of old magazines to stacks of outdated clothes, navigating around clutter increases the risk for a fall. Clearing out excess items gives you more room to safely store possessions and lowers the risk for a fall.
  • Reduced allergens: Unless you are faithfully wiping down your clutter, chances are it’s covered in dust and other allergens. By getting rid of it, you clean up your home’s air and environment.
  • Improved mental health: Whether you realize it or not, clutter can amp up anxiety and prevent relaxation. Depending on the severity, clutter may even lead to sleep problems. When your home is tidy and clean, you can relax and enjoy it.

If you aren’t sure how to get started, we have a few tips to help.

4 Tips for Decluttering Your Home

1. Make a first pass through the home.

Get started by grabbing a trash bag and a couple of boxes. Make a quick pass through the home to get rid of items you don’t need. When you take an objective look at every room, you’ll probably be surprised at what you find.

Have one box for items to recycle and another for those you want to donate. Dispose of everything else.

2. Purge the paper.

Whether it is outdated catalogs or old credit card statements, paper accounts for a lot clutter in our homes and lives. If you can reduce the amount of paper you have to manage, tidying up is much easier.

For many people, junk mail is a constant battle. To lower the amount of junk mail you receive, place yourself on the National Do Not Mail List. You can also email catalog companies and ask to be taken off their mailing list.

It’s also essential to sort your mail every day. Don’t put it off until later. Recycle or shred everything you don’t need immediately.

3. Clear out the closets.

It’s amazing how much “stuff” can accumulate in closets in a short period of time. The longer you’ve lived in the house, the more likely it is that you have a lot of clothes, shoes, and accessories you don’t need.

Work through every closet in the house applying the 12-month rule. If you haven’t worn or used an item in the last year, you may not need it.

Box up clothing you don’t need and make frequent trips to donation drop sites. Putting off the drop-offs might allow things to work their way back into your closet. Use this same approach with items stored in the kitchen, attic, and basement.

4. Downsize your holiday décor.

Holiday décor accumulates over the years. Many of us buy new, leaving the old boxed up in the basement. Before you take this year’s decorations down, go through everything you aren’t using. Keep in mind that many charitable organizations accept holiday items. Veterans centers, nonprofit preschools, and domestic violence shelters are a few.

Downsize to the Right Size Housing during Retirement

By decluttering your home now, you make the process of selling your home and moving easier when the time comes. If the idea of downsizing feels overwhelming, you aren’t alone. Fortunately, professionals can help.

Senior move managers can assist with every detail of a move from hiring a moving company to overseeing an estate sale. “How to Hire a Senior Move Manager” will help locate a qualified professional near you.

If you have questions about retirement communities or would like to tour a Five Star Senior Living community, please call (853) 457-8271. One of our experienced team members will be happy to help!

How Divorce in Later Life May Impact Retirement

When the current generation of seniors was growing up, only 2.8% of Americans over the age of 50 were divorced. Expected lifespans were shorter and people stayed in their marriages longer. Since then, however, increased longevity has been proven to lead to a higher divorce rate. While divorce on the whole has declined in the last decade, for couples over the age of 50 the divorce rate is climbing.

A study conducted at the National Center for Family & Marriage Research at Bowling Green State University showed the divorce rate for older couples has doubled since 1990. Instead of custody battles and child support, these divorcees face questions of financial stability in retirement. After attorneys, financial planners and taxes, divorce costs can cripple retirement plans.

Sociologists have labeled this group “gray divorcees,” and their concerns are unique. Many women of the Baby Boomer generation dedicated themselves to their husbands’ careers. A fair divorce settlement for these stay-at-home Moms is the only way to secure a retirement.

Divorce in Later Life: What Indiana Seniors Should Know

Experts suggest hiring a financial planner before seeking counsel from a divorce lawyer. Remember, dividing these assets between two people can mean less money for each after they’re taxed. It’s important to know what you have going in.

Senior couples who get divorced must navigate tricky retirement obstacles. A lengthy period of jointly accumulating assets causes messy financial separations. Older adults getting divorced face the loss of their Social Security, pension plans and IRAs.

  • Pensions and Divorce

    In today’s workforce, pensions are on the verge of extinction. However, many of those currently considering retirement are fortunate enough to own one. You may choose to start by assessing its value.

    Pensions are valued through a process called, actuarial analysis. Typically this is done when a portion is earned before marriage. After an analysis, the couple can determine to what portion the non-participant has access. Or they are split by an agreed upon ratio.

  • Other Savings & Investment Accounts

    Balances on IRAs and 401(k) accounts are a bit different. These are based on the accrual of assets that fluctuate in value. Your 401(k) may be worth “X” amount of dollars at the time of the agreement and “Y” by the time it is harvested.

Finally, if you pay into Social Security, your spouse likely has a claim to those benefits. A marriage lasting ten years or more avails spouses to one another’s benefits. If your marriage falls short by even a few months, you do not qualify.

Do Medications Impair Senior Drivers?

<!–[CDATA[Seniors account for 34 percent of all prescription medication use and 30 percent of over-the-counter medication use in the U.S. Many older adults take more than one medication on a daily basis. It makes them more susceptible to various forms of mismanagement. This is especially concerning when it comes to seniors and driving.

 

AAA reports that 8 out of 10 drivers over the age of 65 take medication on a daily basis. They also report that the majority of seniors who drive “do not talk to their health care providers about how the drugs might affect their safe driving abilities.” In order to help senior drivers better understand how their prescriptions might interfere with their driving abilities, AAA launched Roadwise RX.

The program “offers a way for you to record all of your medications in one central location. It also provides customized feedback on how your prescription and over-the-counter drugs, herbal supplements and foods, as well as their interactions with each other, can affect safe driving.”

Senior Driver Safety and Medications

In addition to utilizing the AAA Roadwise RX program, the following tips can help keep senior drivers, and those sharing the roads with them, safe while they are behind the wheel:

  1. Know the Side Effects

All medications, whether prescription or over-the-counter, have side effects listed in small print on the box. Because these side effects are listed in small print, seniors often overlook them before taking one.

Make a point to help your senior loved one review the side effects of each of their medications, including new ones their physician orders. And if you are unsure about which side effects may not mix well with driving, the Food and Drug Administration provides some guidelines about what specifically to look for:

  • Sleepiness/drowsiness
  • Blurred vision
  • Dizziness
  • Slowed movement
  • Fainting
  • Inability to focus or pay attention
  • Nausea
  • Excitability
  1. Check with the Pharmacist

If you forget to speak with your healthcare provider during your appointment about the side effects of all your medications, or are receiving different medications from different healthcare providers and are unsure of how they will interact, you can talk to your pharmacist instead.

Pharmacists are trained to understand the side effects of all the medications they provide to customers. Most can also make recommendations about how to manage those effects. And if your pharmacist doesn’t already provide you with printed information about your medication that you can take home with you, you can request it.

  1. Plan Ahead

The Food and Drug Administration also provides consumers with a list of medications that affect your ability to drive and create a safety hazard for yourself and others on the road. Potentially dangerous medications for drivers include:

  • Prescription drugs for anxiety
  • Some antidepressants
  • Products containing codeine
  • Some cold remedies and allergy products
  • Tranquilizers
  • Sleeping pills
  • Pain relievers
  • Diet pills, “stay awake” drugs, and other medications with stimulants (e.g. caffeine, ephedrine, pseudoephedrine)

If you know that any of the above items are part of your senior loved one’s regular medication regime, getting behind the wheel of a car may not be safe.

Take time to explore local transportation options for seniors. By creating a list of transportation alternatives, such as public transit or phone numbers for taxi cab companies, you can create a safer way for you or your loved one to get around town.

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Tips for Getting Comfortable Visiting a Senior Living Community

health risks associated with isolation, a strong social network can help older adults cope with age-related changes. One of which is a move to a senior living community.
 
The best gift you can give to a senior who moves to an assisted living facility is the gift of spending quality time with them, especially in the early days after their move. This emotional support helps them continue to feel connected to their social network and the community. 
 
But some friends and family may feel uncertain about making a visit. Many people have never visited a senior living community and simply aren’t sure what to expect.
 
Breaking Senior Living Stereotypes
 
Once a family member or friend is settled in to their new home, they may be eager to catch up and show visitors around. So it’s important to find ways to overcome any uncertainties and apprehensions that may prevent you and others you know from visiting.
 
The first step to becoming more comfortable with the environment at a senior living community is recognizing that many of the stereotypes associated with them just aren’t true.
 
Contrary to popular belief, the majority of seniors moving to senior living aren’t bedridden or depressed. In fact, most residents in senior living communities are active and engaged with life despite whatever physical limitations they may be living with. They enjoy the opportunities they have to participate in activities that inspire emotional, physical and intellectual growth.
 
Ways to Get Involved in a Loved One’s Senior Living Community
 
Here are a few ways you can overcome your own fears and show your senior loved one how much you care:

  • Plan a housewarming party: By helping your loved one celebrate their move into senior living, you are showing them that you are making an effort to understand their new life.  It might not seem like much, but it can make a big difference in getting off to a good start. Celebrating with friends and family can ease the transition for everyone.
  • Talk to someone in your support system: It is important to understand that it might be tough for you to cope with this change, too. Talking with people who are familiar with your experience and are able to listen can provide a sense of understanding. You can also enlist the help of a religious counselor or therapist if you feel as though you cannot work through your feelings on your own. An online caregiver support group is another solution. Remember, there is no shame in asking for help!
  • Plan activities you can do together: Some families find it helps to create a list of activities they can do when visiting their loved one. From working on arts and crafts projects to enjoying old movies, it makes it easier to spend meaningful time together.

Additional Resources
If you’d like continue learning about senior living, we invite you to subscribe to our Indiana Senior Living blog. You’ll have a variety of resources for both seniors and family caregivers delivered straight to your inbox!

Fire Prevention Week: 5 Tips to Help Seniors Prevent Fires

October 9th –15th is National Fire Prevention Week. Since 1922, the National Fire Prevention Association commemorates the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 with week-long activities to raise awareness about fire prevention.

The organization often ties their slogans to current events. For instance, the 1942 slogan was: Today Every Fire Helps Hitler.

It’s no surprise, then, that in 2016, fire prevention focuses on technology. Or, more specifically, smoke and fire alarms. For three years running, the NFPA has emphasized preventing home fires through the proper use of smoke and fire alarms.

Three Years, Three Tips

In 2014, the NFPA advised people to test smoke alarms every month.

Then in 2015, the catchy slogan “Hear the Beep When You Sleep” reminded people to make sure that every bedroom in their home has a working smoke alarm.

This year, the NFPA emphasizes that smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years—even if they seem to be working during monthly tests.

To find out if the smoke alarms in your home need to be replaced, simply look at the date of manufacture on the back of each alarm.

Simple enough, right?

But there’s more to fire safety than simply having smoke alarms, especially for seniors who may be hard of hearing.

Follow these fire safety tips to stay safe or to keep your aging loved one safe all year long.

Fire Prevention Tips for Seniors

1. Consider Alternatives to Smoke Alarms That Use Noise Alerts

Smoke alarms can help seniors escape a fire—if they hear the alarm.

If you or your senior loved one is hard of hearing, consider smoke alarms equipped with flashing lights to signal an alert. Or consider a smart smoke alarm that also sends an alert to a smartphone or wearable device, causing it to buzz while also providing a visual signal of danger.

Even better? A smoke and fire alarm connected to a home alarm system, which automatically alerts the fire department in the event of a blaze.

2. Use Caution Burning Candles

While many people like the calming scent and ambiance that candles create, seniors—or distracted caregivers—may forget about a candle and leave it burning. Unattended candles may cause a fire.

Consider electric wax burners as an alternative to open flames. Or use technology and set a reminder on your smartphone to check candles before leaving home.

3. Know Your Escape Route
Every home or apartment should have two escape routes, says the NFPA. In the case of seniors, both routes should be easily accessible. That is, no ladders to climb or challenging window exits.

Escape routes should be well-lighted, night or day. Consider motion sensor lights that can illuminate a path if a senior needs to leave in the middle of the night.

And, to prevent falls, ensure there’s no low furniture, loose rugs, or clutter in the path.

Finally, seniors should have a safe place to wait, such as a neighbor’s house, should their home catch on fire.

Keeping Seniors with Alzheimer’s and Dementia Safe from Fire

For seniors in the early stages of Alzheimer’s or dementia, review fire safety tips frequently so they will know what to do in the event of a fire.

Do not use door locks that will keep a senior with Alzheimer’s trapped inside a burning building. Instead, use GPS tracking devices and wearables to keep tabs on a senior prone to wandering, and use smoke and fire alarms with remote alert capabilities so caregivers will receive notifications in the event of a fire.

Use Technology to Stay Safe

From smoke detection systems to fire-safe doors and sprinkler systems, Five Star Senior Living communities have the technology and safety measures in place to keep you or your senior loved one protected from fire.

Why not schedule a tour this month to see if Five Star Senior Living is the right choice for the older adult you love?