There are thousands, if not millions, of options available every holiday shopping season. The sheer number of great gift ideas is overwhelming. You know you need to get something that can make life easier for your senior, but you don’t know what to get them. Here are four thoughtful gift ideas focused on safety, independence, and family.

Amazon Echo

Smart Homes made a significant impact in 2021. Smart homes have been around for years, but now that most Americans have smartphones, you can control everything in your home from your pocket. Coupled with smartphones, the Amazon Echo is an excellent tool for monitoring and maintaining your home.

Seniors can use the Echo for assistance, including:

• Playing music
• Searching the internet
• Ordering goods on Amazon
• Controlling lights, thermostat, windows, and security systems

The Amazon Echo is a wonderful gift for your senior to have independence with a nearby assistant.

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Non-Slip Socks

Every hour, seven seniors die by falling. Coordination and health typically decline once a person reaches 65 years of age. Non-slip socks are great gifts for seniors. Bombas makes excellent gripped socks to keep your family members on their feet instead of their backside. From their high-quality material to unique design, Bombas are committed to keeping you on your feet.

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Digital Photo Frame

As more and more people use their phones to take pictures, printed photo books are no longer as popular as they once were. However, finding photos on your phone and learning new technology is tedious and challenging. A digital photo frame like View Clix is a great tool to share precious memories with your loved ones.

With View Clix, you can send images, keep a scrolling photo album, and video chat. It is made specifically for seniors, so the tool is simple to use and always on. View Clix is compatible with virtually all devices, so it doesn’t matter if you have Apple or Android. This digital photo frame and video chat service is the perfect way to keep your family together and share sweet moments with future generations.

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DIY Meal Delivery

One of the best things about 2021 is the simplification of cooking. Over the last several years, more and more meal delivery services have been popping up and making dinner time simpler for families across America. Everything about this process is easy. Regardless of which service you use, you order your meals online and the business sends your uncooked food in a safe box outfitted to keep your food cold. Once you receive your food, you have everything you need to make an easy breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Each shipment comes with a recipe card and all of your necessary ingredients. Services like HelloFresh and Home Chef keep seniors from running hours of errands at the grocery store and from having to carry the groceries into the house.

Conclusion

When you buy an Amazon Echo, Bombas socks, a digital photo album like View Clix, and a medical alert system, you are purchasing the very things your older loved ones need to stay safe. These gifts are as every much thoughtful as they are helpful and preventative. Buy safety and care this holiday season for your elderly family member.

Over thousands of years, humans have shown that we prefer structure and routine over impulsivity and “c’est la vie” attitudes. We like the familiar over experiencing something new.

This attitude is especially true when we consider moving, even more so when someone decides to move to senior living.

Moving can be a difficult decision for many families because there are many things to consider.

Thankfully, with communities through Pivotal Health Care, moving sooner rather than later is smoother and more manageable than expected.

But it all starts with you. You need to do it sooner than later!

Why?

Moving When You Are Healthy Makes for an Easier Transition Period

Moving can be an incredibly stressful experience. It is even harder to do when you are not healthy and feeling well.

Making the transition to an independent living community when you are in good health helps ease this difficult transition by simply minimizing your stress.

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According to the CDC, between 2014-2017, the emergency department (ED) visit rate for persons aged 60 doubles by the time the person reaches 90 and over.

In other words, as you get older, your health declines rapidly, and you need healthcare services.

Don’t wait to be in critical health for you to decide to move.

Take Advantage of Opportunities Available in the Community

Unfortunately, as a person ages, some things become more challenging to do than others. For some seniors, a simple walk is no longer possible without assistive aid.

Senior living communities have so much to offer seniors both recreationally and socially. The younger you move in, the more you can take advantage of these opportunities. Participating in activities has been proven to boost your mood and health.

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All PHC facilities have an activity director who organizes events and gatherings for residents.

There Is Minimal Home Maintenance

Home maintenance can be a hassle. You don’t have to worry about the minutiae involved with taking care of a home when you live in a senior living community.

Senior living communities provide services to minimize the stress and frustration that can come with home maintenance. From regular lawn maintenance to safety and security, you are taken care of at all times.

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This way, you can enjoy independent living without all the responsibility sooner rather than later.

A Senior Living Community Cost Less Than a Nursing Home

Finances are always something to be considered. Saving money allows for more fun and enjoyment like trips, accessories, and fun outings!

Paying for a nursing home can cost over $100,000 per year. A senior living community costs less than half of that per year, which means you can spend more time and money doing the things you love.

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Conclusion

Moving out of a home is hard. It’s even harder when you think you are going to some strange place.

Thankfully, senior communities are homes. And they can be your home.

The worst thing to do is wait until it is too late to move into senior living.

Everyone who has walked through the doors of a PHC community wishes they came sooner.

So why wait? Live life to the fullest. Learn more and book your tour now!

As you get older and start looking at your next transition in life, a senior living community is an excellent option! However, as exciting as it may be for some, there are others who get nervous about big transitions and new experiences. Introverts struggle with moving to a new place and dealing with the anxiety of meeting new people all at once.

 

While introverts are quieter, more reserved individuals who typically don’t do well in large crowds, a senior living community is a great option for 5 main reasons!

 

Reason 1: Introverts Will Own Their Home

One of the biggest concerns for introverts moving to a new place is whether or not they will have their own space. Introverts want to have a space that is solely theirs for privacy and comfort purposes. In a PHC community, seniors can have their own homes. These homes will provide introverts with the independence they crave. 

 

Reason 2: Senior Living Communities Provide Quiet Environments for Introverts

Not only will introverts have their own spaces to rest and recharge, but we create a quiet environment. These serene locations are away from the busy life of a city and provide residents with a peaceful community.

 

Reason 3: The Community Will Become the Introvert’s Family

A great benefit to these communities are the experienced employees who know how to help seniors in every way imaginable. Because they are specially trained and experienced, there is a level of trust and companionship created within the community. Introverts need people they can trust and having a strong, stable community like this is the first step to building a family at our community.

 

Reason 4: Introverts Won’t Be Depressed in a Senior Living Community

Depression is one of the biggest risk factors for seniors. What initially starts as boredom for some seniors turns into depression.

Staying active and busy is a great way to help prevent certain types of depression. A senior living community has a ton of activities available tailored to seniors to help them enjoy their lives. Introverts can take advantage of these opportunities and prevent the risk of boredom and depression.

 

Reason 5: Introverts Can Live at Their Own Pace

Introverts can easily stress out about moving into a new place so being given the time to acclimate is important. In a senior living community, nobody is rushing you to do things or pressuring you to participate. You have the autonomy to acclimate at your own pace since you live in your own space.

 

Senior Living Communities Are a Great Place for Introverts

Senior living communities are great options for everyone because they provide excellent health services and provide seniors with opportunities to live an active and healthy life.

 

Although introverts might be a little tentative at the start, these communities are excellent places for them because it helps maintain their preferred level of socialization while being able to enjoy their alone time in their own homes.

The pandemic has temporarily changed how generations of families interact with one another. Here are a few fun ways to spend time with loved ones, while observing social distancing guidelines.

Set a routine.

Try to block off a regular check-in time every week or every few days to say hello and discuss life events. If your grandparent is not particularly tech-savvy, this can be a regular phone call, or if they are, a Zoom or FaceTime chat.

 

Mail letters.

Not all seniors are savvy when it comes to digital communications like Facetime and Zoom. Not only are letters more familiar for some, but they also give younger generations a chance to flex their writing and creativity skills. Drawings, handmade cards, and childrens’ arts and crafts projects are a wonderful thing to include if you have children who might be too small to write a letter. And if you have young children, sending and receiving mail is a fun novelty for a generation that has grown up on the internet.

 

Make a care package.

In addition to mailing letters and cards, put together a package of fun activities for grandparents. Puzzle books, crossword puzzles, card games, or books are a good start. Set up an exchange. One week you mail them a package; the next week, they send something back. And while everyone is encouraged to avoid unnecessary trips to the store, this might be an excellent time to utilize online deliveries or get creative. Putting together an album of old photos or recipe collections is a fun activity to get children involved while everyone is at home. It costs virtually nothing and has a more profound sentimental value for your loved ones.

 

It’s a date.

Set aside a time to watch a television show or movie simultaneously. This way, you will have something to talk about the next time you check-in. Perhaps start a virtual family book club if you have avid readers at home.

 

Virtual Activities

Do your grandparents have a unique skill or hobby they could teach grandchildren over a video call? Maybe your children want to give their grandparents a show-and-tell or talent show over Facetime? Some numerous hobbies and activities can be done virtually with grandparents, from teaching a hobby or skill to finishing homework or sharing a meal.

 

For many of us, our ideas about senior living are significantly outdated. Perhaps your last experience with it was visiting a relative decades ago, in a hospital-like facility that felt drab and boring. Many people believe senior living is a term interchangeable with a nursing home, that they are only for the ill and elderly who can no longer take care of themselves. However, nothing could be farther from the truth when talking about today’s modern senior communities. Residents of these communities report being overwhelmingly happy. A survey from the Assisted Living Federation of America reports that ninety-four percent of respondents say that they were satisfied with the overall quality of their community. And ninety-three percent were pleased with the level of independence gained from living in their community.

Here are a few myths about senior living that you should ignore:

1. Senior living is for the sick and elderly

Senior living communities are often grouped in with nursing homes when it comes to people’s perceptions. Nursing homes provide medical care to the elderly or seniors who are in poor health. Senior living communities are designed for active older adults. They want to spend their retirement years unburdened by home upkeep but want assistance with daily activities they might not feel comfortable completing on their own. Not only do senior living communities offer more flexibility and convenience for aging seniors, but they also allow residents to stay in control of their choices. Often, waiting for an illness or health crisis occurs to move rushes the process and might leave seniors with limited options. Most independent living communities do offer higher levels of care when the need arises, such as assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing and rehab programs that residents can take advantage of without the stress of having to move.

2. Loss of Independence

Often, the choice to live independently is mistaken for living on their own. Modern senior living facilities pride themselves on making residents feel as independent as possible. With limited care provided, seniors can feel at home and spend their days on their schedule. Residents aren’t limited to where they can go or what they can do. Most communities offer outings, activities, socializing, fitness, art classes, and flexible dining options. Participation in these activities is optional, and for those who’d prefer to spend their retirement years traveling or visiting loved ones, they can enjoy knowing their residence is being looked after while they are away. No longer burdened by home maintenance, lawn care, housekeeping or cooking, residents often find they have more time for activities and hobbies, or for spending time with loved ones. Many communities provide some type of transportation if a resident is no longer comfortable driving or keeping up with car maintenance. Some properties even offer parking and garage space for residents who do enjoy the independence of driving themselves.

3. Lack of socialization and activities

The activities offered to residents vary by community. Still, they all offer a variety of enrichment programs and wellness programs—activities such as yoga, crafting classes, sports, board games, and more. There is no limit to the opportunities for seniors to enjoy a favorite pastime, or take up a new hobby. Residents can meet new friends who share the same interests. Activities and social events are optional, with limited set schedules. Most seniors find they have more time to enjoy their favorite pastimes in a senior living community, as they are no longer spending time with home upkeep and household chores.

4. No privacy or personalization

Today’s senior living communities often resemble a resort or luxury condo. Many offer breathtaking views of cities or nature. Communities vary in size and style; some offer apartments or townhomes; others are small houses. Most offer many different floor plan options. Units can have single or double rooms, with various accommodations and amenities, such as kitchenettes and laundry. Seniors are free to furnish and decorate their space with their items. While downsizing a home can be an exhausting task, today’s senior living communities can accommodate almost all of the comforts of home without sacrificing taste or style in the process. Additionally, seniors have control over many of the security features offered in these communities, giving them a sense of privacy and security.

5. Seniors would prefer to move in with family

Seventy-three percent of families report that a senior loved one’s quality of life improved after moving to assisted living, according to research from A Place for Mom. Many seniors fear becoming a burden to family and loved ones as they age. While caregiving often strengthens relationships, it can also affect the caregiver’s ability to work, maintain relationships and health. According to the CDC, caregivers often neglect their own needs and suffer from the physical and emotional demands of caregiving. Choosing a senior living community could result in a happier and healthier life, not just for senior citizens, but also for their loved ones.

6. Senior living is expensive

The cost of senior living varies depending on the size of residence and level of care. The median monthly fee for assisted living in 2019 was $4,051, according to a Genworth study on the cost of care. While the monthly rates of senior living might surprise and intimidate some families, it is often comparable or even less than remaining in the home and receiving the same services and support.  Everything offered at a senior living community is part of the same monthly rate. Expenses like meals, transportation, activities, assistance with daily tasks, housekeeping, medication management, and medical services are all included. Not to mention the utilities, insurance, taxes, and upkeep expenses that come with homeownership.

A Brighter Outlook

Studies show that senior citizens are among the happiest groups of people, and they tend to be more satisfied than their middle-aged counterparts. A telephone survey conducted by Stony Brook University found that people over 50-years-old were happier overall, with anger steadily declining in their 20s through the 70s, and stress falling off entirely in the 50s. Research finds that people get more comfortable as their emotions bounce around less. These studies reveal that negative emotions become less pronounced with age, in comparison to our drama-filled younger years. As we age, we are better able to differentiate our needs from wants and focus on what is truly important to us. A University of Basel study of people aged 18 to 89 found that regardless of demographic and social status, the older one gets the higher self-esteem climbs. Qualities like self-control and altruism can contribute to happiness. While it is true that some seniors can be vulnerable to isolation, overall, they are shown to have superior social abilities and empathetic skills.

 

Sharper Reasoning

Part of seniors increased happiness is due to a broader ability to prioritize and reason. Brain scans reveal that older adults are more likely to use both hemispheres of their brains simultaneously. This neurological state is known as bi-lateralization, which can sharpen reasoning skills. For example, in a University of Illinois study, older air traffic controllers excelled at their mentally taxing and high-stress jobs, despite some losses in short-term memory and visual-spatial processing. Older controllers proved to be experts at navigating, managing multiple aircraft simultaneously, and avoiding collisions. The study says, “This could be due to better coping abilities. Older people tend to have internal mechanisms to deal better with hardship or negative circumstances.”

 

More Time for Family and Favorite Activities

One of the most obvious perks of retirement is spending time with family, friends, and other loved ones. Retirement is an excellent opportunity for many to pursue dreams and passions they might’ve put on hold. For instance, you can learn a new language, take time to travel, or finally write that novel. In addition to spending time with loved ones and pursuing new interests and old plans, retired seniors have more time to be civically and politically involved, and they do just that. For example, people over aged 65 vote at a higher rate than any other age group according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. They also volunteer at high numbers. According to this research, more than 21 million older adults, or one in every four seniors, contributed more than 3.3 billion hours of service in their communities. Based on an average estimate of the value of volunteer labor, senior citizens volunteer service contributes $77 billion annually to the economy.

Among these volunteer opportunities are several federal Senior Corps organizations that are geared specifically to seniors, such as Foster Grandparents and Senior Companions. These programs involve 360,000 senior Americans in volunteer community service activities annually. Seventy-one percent of volunteers to these programs reported less feeling of loneliness and a willingness to further engage in volunteer activities in their communities. There are also many local programs dedicated to senior citizen volunteer opportunities.

 

Senior Discounts

As small as they may seem, discounts offered to seniors can certainly add up quickly. The discounts offered to seniors can help save money in a time in life where income is usually fixed or limited. These discounts also provide a fantastic incentive to make the most out of retirement, as many of these discounts are for activities like dining, travel, entertainment, and transportation. These discounts also provide a valuable incentive for seniors to make the most of their retirement, for they are often for the exact types of services that help seniors stay engaged and active, such as dining, medication, entertainment, and transportation. Discounts are available for a wide variety of local venues, such as restaurants, museums, movies, as well as more significant ventures such as travel services like resorts, hotels, and airfare. For example, the U.S. National Park Service offers citizens over age 62 and up, a lifetime pass for more than 2,000 federal park sites for $10.

 

A Sense of Accomplishment

Older people often have a healthy sense of pride that comes from a lifetime of accomplishments. Ordinary achievements like raising a family, being happily married, serving the country, or retiring from a career after years of dedicated service can be a rewarding source of contentment in retirement.