Senior living communitiesare relatively new, are responding to constantly changing demands and while even this industry is reacting to the current economic downturn, baby boomers are creating and responding to trends in a variety of ways.  A recent survey conducted by Mather LifeWays with Life Services of Illinois in late 2008 revealed some interesting findings.  This survey is "significant because there are few published studies that examine trends in programs,...

Unlike other types of senior housing such as assisted living, nursing homes and continuing care retirement communities, there is a lesser focus on aspects of communal living at anindependent living community. Things like group dining, and organized activities and clubs may be offered at some places, but it's not unusual for anindependent living communityto offer no group-oriented services at all.

Today there is a wide array of independent living communities for seniors to choose...

Each year, active seniors prepare for their annual trek to warmer pastures. Instead of shivering through yet another frigid Midwest winter, they pack up for Florida with bathing suits, clubs, and Bermuda shorts. As summer temperatures reach uncomfortable levels, the return trip begins, allowing active seniors to continue their active lifestyle without the discomfort of extreme temperatures. Snowbirds also enjoy the convenience, security, and safety that comes from elegantly designed,...

In the United States,hospice caredevelopment and services are guided by the Medicare Hospice Benefit (MHB).  Because 95% of hospice care is in the form of routine home care, clinicians and patients may not be aware that there are 4 distinct levels of care.  Patients may be admitted into a hospice program at any level and may transfer between levels as needed.

Hospice Care Levels

Routine Home Care

The most common type of hospice service in the United...

Most of us are well aware that we have an aging population throughout most of the world and that within the next 15 years our senior population in Canada will more than double.  What many of us may not know is how to address this issue.

One thing is for certain, seniors and their families will be searching online for many of the services they need and desire.  What better way to find these services than to use a dedicated online directory of Toronto senior services...

Many of us will gladly take Mom to her doctor's appointments, administer medications, and check in if the need arises without a second thought. But with millions of loyal children caring for aging parents out of their own pockets, a little financial relief is welcome. Few family caregivers are aware that you can get paid - however small the amount may be - to care for Mom and provide homecare services. Due to the long working hours, however, some adult children caregivers have been...

It is the nature of soul to grow, to heal, and to love. As we enter into the world, we emerge as a tiny child. We are open. We do not have conditions placed on us by our parents or ourselves. We have not closed ourselves off from any possibility. It is though the world lay at our feet. We are a bundle of unconditioned purity.

As we age, conditions are placed on us to direct us along our paths intended to keep us from harm. Even if we manage to stay out of harms way, we move into a...

California seniors and their adult children now have the ability to contract with an in home care service with a proven history of quality care. The families and seniors that contract with Abbey Caregivers (both current and past clients) have rated this small locally owned homecare service as ‘Excellent’. ( )

Through an independently issued and verified controlled survey of a combination of current and past clients, Abbey Caregivers was provided the opportunity to...

If you’re fortunate enough to grow to a ripe old age you’ll inevitably be faced with scores of life changing situations. Some are oh so subtle and others slam you squarely across the head. Growing old comes slowly almost interminably slow but when it finally arrives it ascends like a black mist descending from above.

Elderly parents arrive first at this marker set in time and through them we see ourselves in just a few years more. With extended age...

In this article, I will outline key points my fellow hospice team members and I have observed in our day to day work.. I have worked over 12 years as a Spiritual Counselor in Hospice Care. Each person teaches me something, though it is I who is supposed to minister to them in the final moments. For my colleagues and I, working in hospice is an ongoing challenge and learning experience, that presents us with learning of the deepest kind - on a soul level. In this article, I share with...