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8 Ways Seniors Can Use Voice Assistants

March 6, 2020

As older adults continue to adopt the latest technologies to make their lives easier and safer, new ways to utilize existing technology are discovered. This includes using voice assistants. While many of us associate them with younger adults, seniors are embracing this type of technology in growing numbers.

If you are an older adult or the caregiver for one, we have a few ideas for using a voice assistant.

Voice Assistants and Older Adults

A voice assistant is a digital assistant that uses voice recognition to help users with a variety of tasks. Among the most popular ones are Amazon Alexa, Apple’s Siri, Google Assistant, and Microsoft’s Cortana.

What can you do with your digital assistant?

Most perform similar tasks. Beyond the more common uses, such as playing music and listening to audiobooks, a voice assistant can aid in:

Obtaining updates about the weather: Voice assistants can give you weather updates before you head out for errands or appointments. Some apps even allow you to ask specific weather-related questions, such as the predicted heat index or anticipated snow fall. That can be useful for an older adult, especially one with a chronic health condition impacted by weather changes.
Finding a lost cell phone: Let’s face it. Most of us misplace our cell phones from time to time. Voice assistants can make your phone ring or play a special tone to help you find it, sometimes even if the phone is in silent mode.
Getting a traffic report: No one wants to spend hours stuck in a traffic jam. A voice-activated assistant can identify potential problem spots along your route in real time or even before you leave home.
Managing an appointment calendar: From the grandkids’ birthdays to personal physician appointments, managing your calendar is easier with digital help. Some even allow you to set an alert to remind you of upcoming appointments.
Setting reminders: Older adults may find the reminder features on voice assistants especially useful. Medication mistakes are a leading reason seniors end up in a hospital emergency room. Most often it’s due to taking too much of a medication or forgetting dosages altogether. A voice assistant can remind an older adult when to take each medication.
Creating lists: Whether it’s a grocery list or ideas for holiday gifts, having a digital partner can help you stay organized. You can name each list and update them by adding or deleting items.
Acting as a personal trainer: If you need a little motivation to work out each day, your digital assistant can provide it. While programs vary by device, most have exercise platforms available. From asking Alexa to play a 7-Minute Workout to Google Home’s 5-Minute Plank, there are a variety of options to explore.
Controlling devices: Most households have an increasing number of devices like iRobot’s Roomba or a Ring security camera. It can be a lot to keep straight. Voice assistants make it easier to manage your devices. For example, you can ask your assistant to run your home vacuum robot or turn the bedroom light on.

While nothing can replace a person, having a digital assistant can make it much easier to juggle all the tasks of a busy life.

Understanding the Five Star Senior Living Difference

At Five Star Senior Living, residents enjoy the support of experienced team members and caregivers. They are on-site to assist with everything from housekeeping services to preparing and serving healthy meals. The best way to learn more is by visiting a Five Star Senior Living community in person. Contact us to schedule a tour or to learn more!

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Stay Young at Heart by Volunteering After Retirement

While you were in the workforce and busy raising a family, you may not have had time to volunteer as often as you would have liked. But in retirement, it’s important to find ways to stay productive and engaged with life. And research shows volunteering may be just what the doctor ordered.

Take a look at the many benefits volunteering provides to keep the mind, body and spirit strong:

Reduced hypertension
Lower risk of depression
Improved balance, agility, and flexibility
Slower cognitive decline

Lower Your Blood Pressure by Volunteering

In a study conducted by Carnegie Mellon University, older adults who volunteered at least 200 hours per year had lower blood pressure after four years than those who did not volunteer.

Since hypertension is related to a number of health problems, including stroke and heart attack, volunteering may help reduce the risk of these diseases.

Interestingly, the lower blood pressure was not related just to the exercise provided by many volunteer activities – even volunteers who didn’t engage in physical activities like food service or gardening reaped the same rewards.

Ward off Depression

Many older adults begin to feel depressed after retirement, often due to social isolation and boredom. Volunteering boosts self-esteem and provides a way to form strong social connections with others who believe in the same causes you do.

Helping others also prompts the brain to release dopamine – the same feel-good hormone that gives you a natural high after a workout.

Volunteers Get Physical

Many volunteer activities, such as participating in a walk-a-thon, planting a community garden, or cooking meals for a soup kitchen, actually do involve physical activity. These volunteer activities can improve cardiovascular function, balance, and agility the same way any form of exercise does.

You’ll also enjoy the added boost of a built-in support community to keep you going, even on mornings when you’d rather stay in bed.

Volunteering Offers Brain Benefits

Planning activities, mentoring young adults, or helping elementary age children learn math exercise parts of your brain that may not get much of a work-out in retirement.

According to one study done by John Hopkins University, volunteering in ways that permit you to learn a new skill or use your intellect may actually help slow cognitive decline.

And because volunteering also improves physical health and reduces the risk of depression – both factors in Alzheimer’s disease and dementia – it may provide additional brain benefits, too.

Live Longer

One compelling study which researched 6,200 Americans over the age of 65. Doctors discovered that those who volunteered reduced their risk of death within the next seven years by about 50 percent.

Live Better

In addition to these tangible, proven benefits, volunteering provides a means to apply the skills you’ve learned over your whole life in a way that helps others. We can’t think of a better way to feel useful in your later years, while helping to build a better world for your grandchildren.

Volunteering may also provide opportunities to travel and to meet new people from different walks of life. Residents of the Five Star Senior Living communities across the country are engaged in a variety of volunteer projects on-site and around their local community.

Whether you’re a leader who wants to step up and plan events and activities, or just lend a helping hand when asked, there really isn’t a downside to volunteering.

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Exploring Vacation Adventures for Older Adults

Retirement is a season of life people look forward to for years. For many, travel is part of their retirement plan. If you are a senior looking for new travel adventures, we have some ideas you might find useful.

7 Travel Ideas for Older Adults

Visit the US National Parks: From Florida’s Everglades to the forests of Denali Park in Alaska, our National Park System has much to offer. Older adults can purchase a Lifetime pass for just $80. With this pass, you can visit more than 2,000 federal recreation sites without paying for entrance, amenity fees, or day use fees for some of those in your vehicle
Plan a hobby or theme vacation: If you’ve always wanted to write a novel, learn to paint, or tackle another new hobby, a vacation getaway might be the perfect opportunity. Themed travel packages have recently become popular. They’re geared towards a variety of topics ranging from photography to cooking.
Drive the California coastline: Pacific Coast Highway, formally known as US Route 101, is one of the most spectacular drives in the country. It extends through California from north to south. You’ll cross the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, pass the popular town of Santa Cruz, enjoy the beauty of Big Sur and Monterey, and so much more. It makes for the ultimate retirement road trip.
Book a volunteer vacation: For a travel adventure with purpose, round up a few friends and plan a volunteer vacation. You’ll find both domestic and international opportunities. Discover Corps can help you find a trip that meets your interests and budget.
Follow your family tree: With age often comes a desire to trace your roots and learn more about your family’s unique history. Retirement is an ideal time to dig deeper and learn more about where you came from. One way is to visit the towns and cities that shaped your family.
Take a Road Scholar trip: This nonprofit organization hosts a variety of experiential learning opportunities for seniors. They offer 5,500 learning adventures in 150 countries and all 50 states. Topics range from cross-country skiing in Vermont to educational getaways about America’s earliest presidents. There are trips to meet every interest. Some are designed specifically for solo travelers and for grandparents traveling with grandchildren.
Create a bucket list for travel: Many of us have a bucket list for things we’d like to do or accomplish. Why not create a bucket list of trips you’d like to take during retirement? That makes it easier to start researching and planning.

Life Enrichment at Five Star Senior Living

At Five Star Senior Living communities, residents enjoy opportunities to travel and grow every day. From local and regional outings to a full calendar of daily events and activities, our Lifestyle360 program is designed to nurture the body, mind, and spirit.

Contact the senior living community nearest you to learn more!

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Should You Sell the House Before or After You Move to Senior Living?

June 28, 2019

Selling a home and moving is often one of the most stressful life events we can experience, especially if it’s done without proper planning. If you are selling your home or the home of an older loved one, there are many benefits to hiring a senior move manager to help make the transition go smoothly. One related question we often receive is when is the best time to sell —before or after the move to senior living?

Some real estate experts say selling your home before you move is the best route for all parties involved, but is that really the ideal solution for the homeowner?

We’ve broken down the pros and cons of selling before and after a move for your consideration.

The Pros and Cons of Selling a House Before Moving to Senior Living

Pro: Access to Money

Many people choose to sell their home before they move to help free up money to finance senior living. The house is often the single greatest asset an older adult has and the proceeds from the sale are needed to pay for the expenses of senior living.

Con: Showing a Potentially Cluttered House

Any seasoned realtor will tell you that showing a cluttered lived-in home does you a disservice when trying to sell. Anyone who has lived in their home for many years has often acquired a lot of “stuff.” It doesn’t always create a positive first impression.

Con: Disrupting Your Schedule for Showings

Living in a home that is for sale is tough. Trying to keep it clean and “show ready” at all times isn’t easy. Equally as difficult is finding places to go during times the house is being shown, especially for seniors who are no longer driving.

Because many potential buyers work during the daytime, it isn’t uncommon for them to want to visit homes in the early morning and late evening hours. These can be inconvenient times for seniors.

One tip if you do want to sell your home before you move, is to consider choosing a senior-friendly realtor. They can help guide you through the process and provide valuable tips for selling your home quickly and for the maximum amount of money. Read more about the advantage of selling your home to pay for senior living.

The Pros and Cons of Selling After You Move

Pro: Ideal for Staging

Many realtors will tell you that selling an empty home can work in your favor because you’re working with a “clean slate.” In fact, if you’re working with an empty house, you have a great opportunity for staging the home to attract buyers. Professional home stagers have access to furniture and accessories that can help buyers to envision themselves living in your home and quickly close a deal.

Pro: Less Stress for the Homeowner

A homeowner who moves to senior living first can take their time packing and moving. This helps manage move anxiety and stress, especially when compared to someone who sells their home and must pack and downsize and move in just a few weeks of time.

Con: Additional Costs

If you or your loved one’s house doesn’t sell as quickly as you expect, you could be saddled with mortgage payments or utility bills as an added expense. In order to sell your home, you need to keep the lights and water on to make sure that potential buyers see your home in its best light (no pun intended!). Are the added expenses ones your family can manage? Some senior living communities have partnerships with companies who help establish short-term bridge loans for the time needed to make this transition.

Best Choice for You

It’s clear to see that there is no right answer when selling a home and making the transition to senior living. The best way to cut down on anxiety surrounding a move is doing what feels right for you and your family.

It might be worth it, however, to consult a senior-friendly realtor before you ultimately make a decision. Their expertise, not only in the field of selling homes for seniors, but also on the real estate market in your local neighborhood, should help you to make a more informed decision.

Whether you sell before or after, here is a handy moving checklist for seniors. For more information about senior living contact us today.

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Creating a Budget for Senior Living

We’ve all experienced it: budgeting mistakes. One bill might not get paid while another one is paid twice. Maybe it was a one-time occurrence. That’s normal. But as our loved ones age, health issues, losses, and grief may compound distraction and contribute to poor decision making. Sometimes challenges managing finances can even be an early sign of Alzheimer’s disease.

With empathy and kindness in mind, caregivers can help a senior loved one create a budget and keep their finances safely on track.

Caution, please!

If you’re helping to create a budget for your Mom or Dad, consider that they may perceive your efforts as a loss of their independence. So move forward with gentleness, compassion, and respect. Loved ones who are treated with dignity and diplomacy are more likely to work willingly with you as you help them with their finances.

Working with a Senior Loved One to Establish a Budget

Here’s how to create a budget for a senior loved one:

List their net income. When you are just estimating income and expenses, it may be easy to understate or overstate them. So start by making a list of all their income sources. Include social security, investments, pension, and any earnings from hobbies or other sources. From each income source, subtract any taxes or necessary deductions. Tally their final take-home pay.
List their expenses. Start with the basic fixed expenses: rent or mortgage, utilities, car payments, insurance, and so on.Then include the expenses that change each month: groceries, gas, medications or entertainment, for example. Help them read their credit card statement and checking account statement to complete the list. Watch out for sneaky expenses. Those may be one-time treat items that become a habit and begin to appear regularly on bank statements.To help create a list of possible expenses, many online tools are available. Some of the free and easy services include Mint.com, Budget pulse, and ClearCheckBook.
List their actual spending. Track daily spending when checks are written or credit cards are used. A slip of paper kept in the wallet will work, but helpful smart phone apps are available.At the end of the week, schedule about 15 minutes to help them record the expenses on their master tracking list. At that time, compare the actual spending with the expenses.
List saving sources. If necessary, work with your senior loved one to identify possible areas in which to make cutbacks. They may be entitled to a senior discount with a different cable company or get a better deal on cell service if they shop around. A little savings here and there will add up to bigger savings by the end of the year.
List their goals. Whether it is for a vacation, wedding and birthday gifts, major repairs, or additional retirement funds—life happens. It is important to plan for these events and unexpected issues. Estimate the amount of savings required each month to meet their goals. And to also prepare for anticipated caregiving costs.
List any obstacles. Let’s face it, for some people spending money fills a need. It can produce positive feelings or prevent negative ones. Some people shop for pleasure. The hunt for an item can be exciting, novel, or give a sense of empowerment and accomplishment. It can be a social activity that connects us with the community—that’s especially important for some retirees. At other times, shopping can help us avoid pain—maybe fear or loneliness. In any case, when over-spending occurs, there’s usually a negative outcome: stress, shame, or arguments.To help a parent replace the power of a habit, brainstorm to find ways to fill the real need. Is it people and community? Then schedule activities to help satisfy that real need. Is it the novelty, adventure, or a sense of accomplishment? Help your loved one find creative hobbies or alternate activities to address those needs.Finally, consider posting a note on the refrigerator to remind your Mom or Dad about their financial goals and the budget it will take to achieve them.
Seek support. Consider making a list of friends, family members, or organizations that can help you when their budget just won’t add up. For example, Debtors Anonymous offers in-person group meetings and telephone support meetings nationwide to people of any age. Our blog also has a variety of articles to help adult children discuss difficult topics, including money.

At Five Star Senior Living communities, our team can help you estimate costs for independent living or assisted living. Contact the community nearest you to schedule a tour today!

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Wearable Tech Products to Help Seniors Stay Safe and Independent

When most people hear the phrase “wearable technology”, they think of Fitbit types of devices. While logging daily metrics about workouts and fitness levels might be useful for some, Fitbit represents only a fraction of what’s out there.

Wearable Tech That Goes Beyond Just Collecting Fitness Data

Tiny, wearable computers aren’t just for fitness-minded Millennials. There is wearable tech for every generation. Designed for everything from monitoring daily habits to keeping people safe, technology has probably come a long way since you last checked.

It’s time for seniors and their caregivers to get over their fear of mobile technology and start taking advantage of all it has to offer.

To help, here’s a quick reference guide to today’s tiny, connected devices that are helping seniors stay safe, healthy, and independent.

Tech Products That Help Keep Seniors Safe

GPS Watches. GPS watches keep seniors who have dementia safer. Since most seniors who have Alzheimer’s will wander at some point, these devices provide caregivers peace of mind. They feature real-time GPS tracking so families can quickly locate a loved one who wanders. A geo-fencing alert system is a helpful feature. When a loved one wanders beyond a certain pre-set area, the device knows and sends a text message or email to the caregiver.
Behavior Sensors. Wearables that attach to a bracelet can alert caregivers to alterations in the routines of senior loved ones. These high-tech devices use sophisticated sensors to “learn” an individual’s patterns of daily behavior. When a change occurs, such as unusually prolonged sitting or excessive bathroom trips, the system knows. The 24/7 data that’s collected can also be used in predictive analytics. That helps warn caregivers of impending risks like malnutrition, falling, UTI’s and depression.
Combo System of Wearable Tech + Home Sensors. A safety watch combined with sensors placed throughout the home can act as a personal emergency response system. In addition, seniors can receive medication reminders, a step-counter, and a quick-push button for emergencies. Caregivers can also receive alerts if meals are missed or there are other potential problems. If your loved one doesn’t have internet, look for wireless systems that don’t require it — and many don’t.
Endless Smart Phone Apps. Smart phones aren’t technically “wearable”, but they can be! Did you know that only 18 percent of people over 65 own a smartphone? That’s a shame, since there are dozens of apps designed to help seniors live a better life. Encourage your older loved one to trade in their outdated cell phone for a smart phone so they can take advantage of helpful apps.
Issue-Specific Wearables. There are wearables designed to help seniors with age-related problems. One problem is neuropathy, which makes walking and balancing difficult. There’s a wearable that fits just below the knee which has sensors. Data from the sensors triggers the device to alert the wearer’s motor system and send the right messages to the brain. The result: the wearer stays upright and is able to walk properly. That’s progress!

A Final Word on Seniors and Technology

Most people think of tech gadgets as geared only for Millennials or Gen Z. As you’ve just read, that’s certainly not true. Seniors are becoming more connected and engaged with technology than ever before. This trend is likely to continue, too.

We recognize that technology plays an important role for everyone. That includes the people who make up our community at Five Star Senior Living. In fact, we support learning and engagement with technology at all levels. By offering computer classes and technology how-to workshops as part of our Lifestyle360 program, we’re promoting a better, richer lifestyle for seniors.

Find out more by contacting us or scheduling a tour of a senior living community near you – we’d love to see you!

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What are the Benefits of Independent Living Communities?

Retirement is something most older adults plan for and look forward to over many years. Being free to pursue old hobbies, explore new passions, travel, and spend time spoiling the grandkids are just a few of the perks of retiring. Sometimes, however, the burdens of home ownership put a crimp in a senior’s desire to live a more carefree lifestyle.

That is when a move to an independent living community might be a solution to consider.

What is an Independent Living Community?

Independent living communities are a senior housing option designed with the active adult in mind. Older adults who chose to move to one are looking for a lifestyle free from the worries of home maintenance and repairs so they have more time to focus on the social side of life.

Independent living comes in several forms:

Apartments in a dedicated independent living community or on the campus of a larger continuing care community
Maintenance-free villas or small cottages that are part of a retirement community

What advantages do these communities offer seniors?

Let’s talk about a few of the most common ones.

5 Benefits of Independent Living Communities

Here are some of the things older adults like most about independent living communities:

No maintenance or repairs: No more worries about snow shoveling, mowing the lawn, or fixing the dishwasher! A move to independent living comes with a maintenance-free lifestyle.
Amenities and conveniences: Depending on the community you chose, you’ll find a host of amenities and conveniences. Housekeeping, transportation, trash removal, a beauty/barber shop, and meal plans are a few standard services. Some communities even have a concierge to help you make arrangements for theater tickets, dry cleaning, travel plans, and more.
Socialization: Independent living communities offer meaningful ways to connect with friends and neighbors each day. It might be a quick cup of coffee in the dining room before heading over to morning devotionals or an afternoon of spirited game playing. Socialization opportunities are a primary reason seniors move to independent living.
24-hour security: Independent living communities provide a safe and secure environment for older adults. From having staff onsite around the clock to fire suppression systems and an emergency call system, seniors can feel safe living alone.
Assistance: Some independent living communities also have programs in place to offer assistance with personal care. This allows an older adult to remain independent longer.

Experience Five Star Senior Living

If you are starting to explore your options for senior housing, we know it can be a bit overwhelming. There are many choices to consider and much to learn about each one. That’s why we created a Where to Begin guide.

In this area of our website you will find all the information you need to get started. We also encourage you to take a tour of a senior living community near you to see first hand what independent living has to offer.

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Helping a Senior Prepare their Home for Winter

Winter brings challenges for every homeowner, but seniors may need extra help preparing for ice and snow. By planning ahead and getting things done while it’s still relatively warm outside, you reduce the risk of being caught unprepared by an early storm.

Here are five ways to help senior loved ones prepare their homes for the upcoming winter months.

Preparing a Senior’s Home for Winter

1. Install storm windows

Some homes, especially older ones, may have the type of storm windows that have to be reinstalled every winter. Even if it’s just a matter of sliding the storms down the window frame, seniors might need help getting winter windows in place. Very often latches are tricky and require hand strength that an older adult might not have.

2. Get the chimney professionally cleaned

If your loved one’s home has a fireplace or a wood stove, book an appointment with a chimney sweep to come and clean the chimney. Creosote can build up over just one season presenting a serious fire hazard.

While you’re at it, have them check the damper to make sure it’s working. Finally, install carbon monoxide detectors throughout the home. Wood stoves that don’t burn efficiently can emit poisonous yet odorless gasses. The CDC recommends learning the symptoms of CO poisoning.

Even if there’s no fireplace or wood stove, arrange to have the heating system checked. The last thing you want to happen is for your loved one’s furnace to give out during a winter storm.

3. Arrange for ice and snow removal

Icy walks and driveways can lead to falls which are a leading cause of disability for seniors. Make arrangements early to have sidewalks and the drive shoveled promptly once the snow flies. If you can’t be there to do the job yourself, hire a lawn service or a neighbor to do it. Some local agencies on aging offer these types of services to help older adults during winter months.

4. Equip for emergencies

Hopefully, a winter storm won’t result in a power outage. However, it’s better to be prepared for one just in case. Here are a few tips to do so.

Stock the pantry with food that doesn’t need to be cooked or refrigerated
Assemble an emergency kit containing first aid supplies, blankets, extra batteries, a flashlight and a weather radio
Make sure there’s a fully-charged cell phone ready at all times
Have extra medicine on hand in case the drug store is inaccessible

5. Get the house ready

While we’re still enjoying the last remnants of warm weather, take time to clean out the gutters. Also be sure to check the roof for leaks and get any you find fixed before cold weather hits. If the home has water lines that run along exterior walls, it’s a good idea to insulate them or turn the water off for the season. These tips should help protect the house during the coldest months of winter.

Finally, don’t forget to winterize your senior loved one’s vehicle. These tips on winterizing your family member’s car might also be helpful.

Maintaining a Home in Winter is Tough—But You Have Options

Getting a head start on home winterization can help your senior loved one stay warm and safe this winter. But if home maintenance ever becomes too much of a challenge, there are other options. One of which is a senior living community.

Five Star Senior Living offers a range of care choices. Our Independent Living communities, for example, offer seniors the freedom and independence of living in apartments or villas. Home maintenance services are provided, so there’s no need to fuss with snow windows and snow removal in the winter! Find a senior living community near you to learn more.

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5 Ways to Make Gardening Easier for Older Adults

Gardening nurtures the body, mind and spirit. Sometimes as we age, however, the “body” makes digging in the dirt a bit more challenging. Seniors who enjoy gardening should know that there are several ways to make gardening easier.

Gardening Safety and Older Adults

1. Raise Your Beds

One of the main reasons gardening becomes troublesome for seniors is all the bending over and kneeling gardeners have to do. It can present a significant fall risk. Raised beds handily solve that problem. Added benefits include better soil drainage, less required space, and improved soil quality.

2. Reduce Your Lawn

Maintaining a grass lawn is a lot of work. Some older adults prefer to concentrate on perennials, herbs, or vegetables. A good solution, when you have a lawn that needs constant care, is to reduce the amount of grass that needs tending.

Patty Cassidy, an expert on aging and gardening, suggests replacing high-maintenance grass with some sort of ground cover.

Low-Maintenance Groundcovers:

herbaceous ground cover like creeping phlox
low-growing herbs like wooly thyme
woodier ground cover like juniper

Ms. Cassidy also suggests laying gravel or pretty stones. They can serve as a backdrop for a container garden. You could also plant a tree or install a low-maintenance water feature.

If that still sounds like too much work, consider hiring a neighborhood teenager or a lawn service to handle the grass. Your local agency on aging might have resources to help you safely hire some help.

3. Consider Vertical Gardening

When plants grow on poles and trellises, they’re much easier to tend. Cucumbers, beans, squash, and tomatoes all make good vertical garden plants. It also helps eliminate some of the walking involved in gardening for older adults who might have mobility problems.

4. Learn Proper Form

Kneeling. For weeding, some gardeners use a kneeler stool. Others find them to be cumbersome. If you’re a ‘kneeler’, make sure you’re following proper ergonomic form so you don’t strain your ligaments. If you squat, keep your heels on the ground. If you kneel, try putting just one knee down.
Pruning. A heavy-duty pruning session can leave wrists prone to tendinitis if you don’t use proper form. First, invest in some ergonomic pruners with comfortable handles. Next, keep your wrist straight, or in what’s called ‘neutral position’: not bent in either direction.
Tools. Don’t use tools whose handles are too short. Stooping over may hurt your back. Buy lightweight, ergonomic tools. Keep in mind that not every tool marked “ergonomic” works for every person. The Arthritis Foundation maintains a handy list of ‘ease-of-use’ tools for gardening.

5. Take Proper Precautions

Carry a cell phone when you’re in the garden. That way if you need help, you’re not stranded.

Lessen the likelihood of needing to call for help by learning how to stay safe in the garden. Garden before 10 AM or after 4 PM when the sun is weaker and temperatures may be cooler. Even if you do garden during safer hours, however, it’s important to wear proper sun protection.

That includes a hat, sunglasses, a long-sleeve shirt, and pants. The shirt and pants can help protect you from not just the sun but also from disease-carrying ticks.

Finally, since gardening is a type of physical activity, consult with your doctor if you have had a change in your health recently. He or she can help you understand any limitations you may have. Some doctors and physical therapists suggest warm-up exercises or stretching before you begin gardening.

Five Star Senior Living Supports Healthy Hobbies

Our communities support a wide range of healthy outdoor hobbies like gardening, bocce ball, fitness walking, and lawn bowling. These are just some of the activities that make up the physical wellness aspect of our Lifestyle360 program. To find out more, contact us or visit a Five Star Senior Living community near you.

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5 Family Activities to Celebrate Grandparents’ Day

No matter where you go in the world, grandparents are a mainstay of support for younger generations. An entire lifetime of caring for and about their children provides them with vast stores of knowledge and wisdom to share with the youngest generation of the family.

Grandparents’ Day is a chance to honor them for everything they’ve given and for all the wisdom they hold.

Intergenerational Family Activities to Celebrate Grandparents’ Day

Here are five intergenerational family activities you can plan for this Grandparents’ Day.

1. Spend Time Together in the Great Outdoors

Everyone benefits from breathing fresh air, getting close to nature, and engaging in physical activity. Going fishing, taking a walk, or having a picnic in the park are all good ways to start.

Another option is a road trip to a local nature hotspot like a state park. There’s often an added benefit to visiting parks: a visitor’s center complete with restrooms, vending machines, and fresh drinking water to make your day hassle-free.

2. Whip Up a Family Recipe Together

Grandparents can share a family recipe with the grandkids on Grandparents’ Day. It’s fun for everyone because it’s a productive way to spend time together. It’s also packed with meaning – passing down a traditional family recipe is a good way to bond across the generations. But the best part is at the end of the day everyone gets to enjoy the dish together!

3. Create a Family Treasure Box

What child doesn’t love the idea of a treasure box? Make one together that has special family meaning. Together, you can fill it with mementos that each of you values. It might be copies of favorite family photos, ticket stubs, an old watch or other meaningful items.

Be sure to share stories of why you chose each item and why it holds special meaning to you.

4. Get Creative Together

Kids also love poems, songs, plays, and videos. So why not delve into the creative arts together?

Depending on your artistic talents, you could write a poem or a song together. Even preparing a small dramatic performance could be fun—it all depends on your interests and talents.

Justin Timberlake, a famous singer, songwriter, and dancer, created a touching video for his grandparents. Of course, not everyone has access to the production resources (and the talent) of Mr. Timberlake, but his video is very inspiring.

5. Simply Enjoying the Art of Polite Conversation Together

For seniors who wish to take things easy, a lot of fun can be had over a simple meal or ‘tea time’ conversation. If you’re stuck on what to talk about, here are some questions you can use to get started.

Conversation Starters for Grandparents:

If you had a million dollars, what would you do?
Would you rather be stuck without internet or soap for a month?
What’s on your bucket list?
If you could have lunch with a famous person, who would it be? Why?
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Intergenerational Activities at Five Star Senior Living

Families whose senior loved ones reside at a Five Star Living community can gain peace of mind knowing family always comes first in our communities. Contact us to learn more about the Five Star Senior Living experience.