Have you recently become a caregiver for someone with dementia? As we get older, most of us will likely need assistance from family and friends, but providing memory care for seniors comes with a specific set of challenges. In this article, we’ll discuss several common learning experiences you’ll probably go through while caring for someone …
The hot summer days are now behind us. As we enjoy cooler temperatures, crisp fall air, and the beautiful changing foliage, it’s a great time to get out and get active with the older adults in your life. If you’re looking for festive fall activities for seniors in NJ, we’ve got several great suggestions that …
By Pamela Joyce, Director of Social Services Even with his mask on, you can tell George Shomo is smiling. He is always, without a doubt, donning his New York Yankee baseball cap. This was not always the case. Mr. Shomo has worn many different hats throughout his life. Mr. Shomo attended elementary school in Sea …
If someone you love is about to enter hospice care, you and your family may have questions about what will happen, what hospice care includes, and how the process works. Hospice care is a type of palliative care for people with terminal illnesses, and the aim is to provide the person with the highest levels of comfort …
Helping the older adults in your life stay active and engaged is vital for their wellbeing, and it’s also a great way to strengthen your relationship and special bond with them. You can discover new interests together, engage in new hobbies that will help them maintain key critical thinking and motor skills, and establish more …
When a loved one is diagnosed with dementia, the diagnosis affects the person’s entire family. As the caregiver for someone with dementia, you’ve likely experienced the frustration and difficulty that so commonly accompanies this condition. You may have also found yourself feeling overwhelmed and wondering if you’re doing the right thing. The team at our …
September 12th is National Grandparents Day! If you’re looking for some fun ways to celebrate these special people in your life, our assisted living team has put together some ideas that the whole family will enjoy. Whether you see your grandparents on a regular basis or only a few times a year, September 12th is a special …
If you’ve been advised that your loved one needs palliative care , you may be wondering what exactly palliative care is, and how it will benefit your loved one. Our hospice care team in South Jersey has put together this helpful guide to answer some basic questions about palliative care, and we hope it will help you …
United Methodist Communities announced today that all associates will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by October 15, 2021. President & CEO Larry Carlson shared, “United Methodist Communities has a high ethical and moral obligation to provide the safest living and working environment possible and believes that the best path forward is a fully …
If your loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, knowing what to do next and how to best take care of their changing needs can easily become overwhelming. Alzheimer’s is a diagnosis that affects the whole family, including the person’s close friends, and although there are many movies depicting the memory loss experience, nothing can …
Making the decision to move your aging parent into a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) can be difficult for everyone involved. Unfortunately, due to outdated stereotypes, some older adults are resistant to the idea of senior living communities because they fear losing their independence. Even though the conversations about CCRCs can be tense, honest communication is key to ensuring …
One of the toughest parts of getting older is losing the ability to do things that we once considered easy. When you’re younger and mobile, you don’t even think twice about things like walking, climbing stairs, bending over to pick things up, and other similar ranges of motion. Many factors contribute to a lack of …
On August 7th our nation celebrates Purple Heart Day, honoring all those who have been wounded or killed during enemy combat while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. The Purple Heart is considered the highest distinction, reserved for those who have made a huge sacrifice for our country. Here at UMC , we want to recognize …
When you hear the phrase “assisted living,” what comes to mind? For families with loved ones who can no longer safely live alone, or for older adults who have certain medical needs, assisted living communities can be a wonderful option. Unfortunately, some people still have very outdated notions of senior living communities. They picture strict …
If you and your loved one have started to discuss moving into a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) , we understand that there may be some reluctance and hesitation. Moving can be a very stressful experience and sometimes older adults feel resistant to making big changes. Especially, a big change like moving out of their home and into a new …
United Methodist Communities (UMC), a New Jersey based senior living provider, was a winner in the 30th annual National Mature Media Awards Program. The program, presented by the Mature Market Resource Center, a national clearinghouse for the senior market, recognizes the nation’s finest marketing, communications, educational materials, and promotional programs designed and produced for an …
In the past, movies and television shows have been criticized for portraying dementia in unrealistic and unrelatable ways, often buying into cliches and stereotypes. However, in more recent years, filmmakers have been treating dementia with the care and consideration it deserves, and we’ve seen a variety of movies about dementia that are much more realistic. …
Moving a loved one into hospice care is never an easy process. Families often feel overwhelmed by a range of emotions as they try to offer help and support in a situation they have little to no experience with. People may also be overly-worried about saying the “wrong” thing to their loved one, despite their intentions being …
Assisted living communities provide around-the-clock care for older adults who have certain health or mobility needs. When your loved one needs support with independence or when they require more assistance than you are able to provide, an assisted living community may be the best choice. If you’ve started researching assisted living, you’ve undoubtedly noticed that …
Until recently, older adults had to move from one location to the next in order to receive the care they need during specific times in their lives. Fortunately, with continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) and assisted living communities becoming more common, people have more choices when considering the move to a senior community. Many people …
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