The Fieldstone Feed

When we have a friend who really cares about us, it changes everything. We can share our troubles and not shoulder our burdens alone. We feel we matter when someone knows our family members’ names or pays attention to our likes and dislikes. When someone invites us to know them and wants to spend time together, when they show us how much they enjoy our company—we don’t just feel included…we feel we belong. Belonging is a deep need we all have. It’s an essential element for well-being that lets us know we are safe and will be cared for by our circle.

A wise person once said that “happy” goes up and down and “joy” is a steady, smooth line. 

At Fieldstone Communities, we look for every opportunity to make life even better. The foods we create are a key part of reimagining senior living. Delicious, fresh, gourmet meals bring moments of joy, comfort, and satisfaction to each day.

Do you remember the feeling you had as a child, getting lost in play—hours going by until suddenly dusk was falling? Maybe you rode bikes or built elaborate make-believe worlds. Maybe you collected rocks or climbed trees. When children play, they make sense of the world in creative, experimental ways. Science now shows playing is a catalyst for learning, helping to organize concepts, develop motor skills, and test ideas. As we grow older, school life tends to take primary focus, and we tend to think of “play” as something people “grow out of.” Rather than considering play a basic mode of being human, we think it’s merely the antics of youth.

If you have questions about whether your loved one is ready for memory care, it can be challenging to track symptoms while being sensitive to the relationship. The person suffering from changes in behavior may be feeling a loss of control. Meanwhile, the spouse, partner, adult child, or loved one observing these troubling behaviors often feels a heightened sense of concern and an increasing desire to protect and secure a safe living situation for their loved one.

When do we experience joy? Love? Connection? You may be scanning your memories trying to recall your best moments, but we’ll tell you the shortest answer: in the present moment. We can only live life right now. So, the joys and possibilities of life can only be experienced in the here and now. At Fieldstone Communities, our mission statement is Together we create joyful and vibrant communities. In every community, from independent and assisted living to specialized memory care, we are actively seeking ways to foster connection and enjoyment. When can our residents and staff experience joy and vibrance together? Yes, the present moment—that is where joyful and vibrant living really takes place!

Many of us who celebrate Mother’s Day are wondering how this year’s holiday will unfold. Foregoing the usual family get-togethers or outings can leave us feeling at a loss of what to do. Here are some simple, classic ideas with a social distance twist:

When it comes to considering a move to a senior living setting, most families want to know that their loved ones are receiving exceptional care for their particular needs. Ensuring your peace of mind is a critical factor to a successful community-resident-family relationship. Teepa Snow, world-renowned educator and trainer of the Positive Approach to Care, asks “Can we experience the person as an amazing gem of great value, and give them the right setting and the right care so they can shine?”  Exceptional care embraces this approach and incorporates it into all levels of resident care, staff training and business practices.

In order to ensure the well-being of ourselves and our loved ones, social distancing has taken precedence over our usual visits, events and activities. You might be asking yourself what you can do during this challenging time to stay connected to your loved ones. It’s important to follow social distancing instructions to maintain a safe and healthy environment for you and your senior family member, but that doesn’t mean you have to lose touch.