The Fieldstone Feed

The holidays can be a time of joy, sweet memories, favorite traditions, and togetherness—but as most as most of us know, the holidays can also magnify our feelings of loss or loneliness and leave us feeling blue. Seniors who have lost a spouse, experienced a debilitating illness, had family move away, or struggled with other difficulties can be especially vulnerable to the bluest of Christmases.

Connection is the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgment; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship. - Brené Brown

It’s no secret that relationships can sustain us, but what does it really mean for seniors to have social support? It makes sense that being socially engaged with others can help us be our best selves. But it’s more than just a feeling. The science is clear—social support is essential for maintaining good physical and mental health. Positive, high quality social support is linked to stress resilience and better health outcomes. Considering that fact, it might not surprise you to learn that social isolation has been linked to increased cognitive decline.

If you and your mother don’t live in the same city, it can be challenging to celebrate Mother’s Day and honor her in the way you’d like to. Here are some ideas to make it a special day, even if you can’t be together.

At Fieldstone Communities, we know how challenging and difficult it is for family members who live at a distance from their loved ones. Whether you live out of town or out of state, we know that you want to be kept up-to-date on how your parents spend their day. To help our residents and family members stay connected with one another, we have introduced LifeLoop into our communities! LifeLoop is a remarkable software program that our families are using to stay in the “loop” with their parent or loved one. It has even been featured in Seniors Housing Business, Midlands Business Journal, and Rise of the Rest.

Independent living communities come in many shapes and sizes, and go by several different names such as active adult communities, 55+ or 62+ communities, senior living communities, and retirement communities. Whatever the name, the primary goal of these communities is to provide aging adults with the opportunity to remain independent, while receiving the social and health benefits of communal living. As you are considering what senior living option is right for you, consider the following benefits of living in an independent living community like Fieldstone Grandridge and Fieldstone OrchardWest.

When you no longer feel comfortable living alone or you would like a reprieve from the stresses that come from owning a home, senior living is a great option. By beginning the research into senior living communities you can be prepared to make decisions in the future.