News and Events

March 20, 2018

Music therapy is a form of therapy that uses music to achieve non-musical goals. Like traditional therapy, music therapy uses various techniques to achieve motor, behavioral, cognitive, and emotional goals to promote healthy aging. A music therapist is not just a person who can play guitar and sing. Music therapists in the United States must have a bachelor’s degree in music therapy as well as 1,200 hours of supervised clinical training. Post-training, one must take an exam of music and therapeutic knowledge. Once passing the exam, a music therapist will have the music therapist-board certified credential or MT-BC.

March 5, 2018

The increasing desire and trend to “age in place” is well-recognized by those of us who support older adults, or, in other words, to stay in their current home versus move to another home as they grow older and their needs change. The irony is that we will all “age in place” regardless of where we live! 

January 23, 2018

I started working for a senior living community in January of 2017; my first time to work in a senior community and for an organization that solely serves seniors. In my first year I have come to admire our residents and have formed friendships with many of them.

January 11, 2018

Participants who want to lose weight and body fat should engage in an exercise program that enables them to safely burn a significant number of calories. Research has shown that such a goal, in most instances, is best accomplished when you exercise for relatively long durations (i.e., more than 30 minutes) at a moderate level of intensity. For example, work out in the strength training room for 20 minutes and then take a class for an additional 20 to 30 minutes.

December 27, 2017

If you’re like me, and more than half of the American population, each year you attempt the terrifying… New Year Resolution. Let’s face it, the idea of a brand-new year with a clean slate and new calendar creates feelings of hope, promise, and power. Then by the end of January, most of us are right back in the same boat with unaccomplished goals and broken resolutions.

December 11, 2017

There are many factors that can disrupt sleep patterns in older adults – health issues, anxiety, medications can all contribute. Frequent urination and pain from arthritis are common sources. The likelihood of sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome also increases with age. All of these can lead to disrupted sleep.

November 30, 2017

November 14, 2017

Most associate usage of technology with the younger generations, but older adults are becoming more digitally connected every day. According to the Pew Research Center, 42% of adults 65 and older own smartphones – compared to 18% in 2013. In addition, 32% of individuals in this age group own a tablet.

October 30, 2017

These were the questions I asked when I started my search to find support for my grandparents. Working in a senior living community I had heard about the Veterans Benefit Assistance program, but I thought it sounded too good to be true. After doing a little research, I found that the Veterans Benefit Assistance Program provides veterans and their spouses with financial assistance for assisted living, in-home care and nursing homes.

October 16, 2017

I’ve had too many reminders in recent weeks that we all need to get more comfortable talking about death and dying. But that is such a heavy subject! My friend Judy suggested the topic of humor and aging for this week’s column. Yet that didn’t grab me either.