Senior living communities provide ample opportunities to make a difference and get involved in life enriching activities on a daily basis. Betty Becker, a resident at Terracina Grand, takes us through what a typical day looks like for her.

“Through serving others, these acts help raise our sense of purpose and meaning,” says Hutch Walch, Director of Spirituality for The Goodman Group.

“Friendships and spirits seem to soar when our residents are volunteering and giving back.” Volunteering is mutually advantageous, offering both those serving and those being served a benefit. Residents have reported they feel happier and healthier when volunteering.

It all started with an extended conversation between Gretta Freeman and her 18-year-old granddaughter, Jenny. She was about to leave home for college and filled with the excitement of new experiences, friends, and learning. She was also uncertain about leaving behind friends and family, meeting the challenges of a higher education, and “about a million and ten thoughts and emotions I couldn’t begin to articulate,” as she later wrote. But the conversations she had with her grandma Gretta put those concerns to rest. As Jenny put it, “by talking through things with grandma, I went to college more relaxed, more focused on what I wanted, and above all, more confident that I would be OK.”

“It’s a happier relationship now,” says Clare Strohman, describing the changes she’s noticed since her mother moved to a senior living community.

Clare says Ginny Sims has always been known for her smile and sparkle. She said that both are back now since her mom has been living in Terracina Grand. “There is more friendship now, and I felt like we had lost that.” 

During National Pet Month, we reflect on the fact that caring for animals is good for our health. We can all attest to the mood lifting and stress relieving benefits of having a pet around. Beyond the countless benefits animals have for senior residents living within our managed communities, our team members equally benefit.

You love your family home. You have so many great memories celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, weddings and more. It seems like all the best times of life are wrapped up in this home.

When Betty Becker’s husband was diagnosed with dementia, they made the decision to receive additional support at a nearby senior living community.

“This is home,” Betty said. “We moved in 2006 so this is the only home we’ve had [since then], and I am very content. I was able to continue for a number of years working at the bank knowing he was happy here.”

“Have the conversation early, when your loved ones can still tell you what they want. When they still have their own opinions about what they’re looking for,” said Wendy Wells, daughter of a Terracina Grand resident.

As a caregiver, you may have come to the realization that it is time for your loved one to begin the next chapter of their life at a senior living community. While there are a variety of living options available, you will want to find the best match for your loved ones needs. So where do you start? The first step is understanding the different types of communities available and the services they provide.

When important decisions must be made about a loved one’s living situation, family matters. While your family may feel apprehensive about starting the conversation about moving a loved one into a senior living community, it can be a very positive process. Like many important conversations, it's important to be prepared. We’ve put together a few suggestions on both how to begin the conversation and keep it moving forward.