Activities

Is tweeting golden for seniors?

A new clinical research project is pairing college students with seniors to teach each other about Twitter. As seniors learn how to use the social media platform, students learn whether being connected improves emotions, language and cognitive function in older adults. Read More »

Seniors tell their stories to ward off memory loss

Older Americans say it's important to maintain or improve brain health. The Administration for Community Living, in partnership with Oakland, Calif.-based Statebridge senior theatre company, is helping seniors take center stage and share their stories.  Read More »

2016 Leaders of Tomorrow: Awa Diouf

In our fourth installment of the Leaders of Tomorrow award winners, Awa Diouf is leading the culture change in memory care activities programming at The Residence at Watertown in Watertown, Mass.  Read More »

2016 Leaders of Tomorrow: Debra Gallimore, RN

In our first installment of the 2016 Leaders of Tomorrow award winners, we honor Debra Gallimore, RN, Director of Nursing at Skyline Health and Rehabilitation Center in Floyd, Va. She may be one of the youngest DONs the community has had, but you'll have a difficult time finding someone who knows more about her staff's job roles—she's done most of them herself. Read More »

Tap dancing at any age

An 85-year-old Navy veteran always wanted to learn to tap. He decided it was finally time to dance.  Read More »

Arizona State University to build CCRC on campus

The university wants to build a continuing care retirement community on campus. The CCRC could appeal to the roughly 30,000 alumni age 65 and up dwelling in Arizona who want to relive their college years. Only, this time class is optional.  Read More »

Older women have less cognition loss—and less quickly—than men

Researchers examined the effects of aging on cognitive functioning. They found normal age-related memory and cognition decline may occur at an earlier age and at a faster rate in healthy older men compared to healthy older women.   Read More »

A lesson on Alzheimer’s disease

Children at one Denver school study the history of and write about Alzheimer’s disease. The multi-subject curriculum on memory care is designed to make children less scared and confused about what changes might be happening with an aging loved one.  Read More »

Moving boxes—and hearts

One young man stopped to play a tune after finishing a moving job at a retirement community. That video has gone viral. Watch it, and you'll understand why. Read More »

Children jig for seniors this St. Patrick’s Day

Young Irish dancers remind residents at one Washington retirement and assisted living community the magic of the dance for St. Patrick’s Day.  Read More »

Girl Scout Cookies for a cause

Girls from one Minnesota Girl Scout troop fundraised to buy and deliver 400 cookies to veterans at a local retirement community. Read More »

Paint me a memory

For people with cognitive impairment, a picture is worth more than any words. Read about memory care programs that harness the power of art to engage residents and help them express themselves. Read More »

Teaching today’s youth about aging

A course at UCLA teaches first-year college students about the aging process, how to relate to seniors and exposes them to new career possibilities.  Read More »

What’s your best practice for memory care?

Attendees at the Memory Care Forum in Austin, Texas, share their communities' most successful strategies and programs for engaging residents with dementia.  Read More »

Firefighters heat things up at ALF

Arizona firefighters delivered flowers to more than 50 female residents at an assisted living facility this Valentine's Day.  Read More »

I (still) do: Memory care center hosts vow renewals

The Valentine’s Day spirit was in full force at Stoneybrook Memory Care in McKinney, Texas, as dementia care residents and their spouses renewed their marriage vows and their commitments to stay together despite the disease. Read More »

Don’t call me ‘honey’: Avoiding elderspeak

When it comes to culture change, put your awareness where your mouth is. What you say—and how you say it—affects the dynamics of staff/resident relationships, especially in dementia care. Read More »

Seniors have a new way get around town with Uber

grandPad, a tablet designed for seniors, has partnered with Uber to help seniors catch a ride while maintaining their mobility and independent. Read More »

Md. retirement community made the most of Jonas

We’ve seen the images and, in some cases, experienced Winter Storm Jonas firsthand. But here’s one snow story you haven’t seen. Read More »

Company aims to help seniors get plugged in

Breezie is a touch screen tablet interface designed specifically for seniors. The U.K.-based company announced its American expansion and plans to meet with senior living executives across the country.  Read More »

Stewards of social work

Social work interns are assets to long-term care facilities. They can help bridge gaps and facilitate conversations among departments, residents and loved ones. They can help pick up slack and breathe new life into a team whose members are often overworked and understaffed.  Read More »

Crafting for a cause

A group of women meet weekly at a Maryland long-term care (LTC) facility to knit or crochet for the needy. Members of Hugs and Stitches made and donated 2,480 hats, scarves and afghans in 2015 to local Baltimore area nonprofits.   Read More »

Nursing home on the range

An Australian nursing home provider has opened a facility on a farm to appeal to people who like animals and gardening. It's the latest example of how providers are trying to offer value and amenities while distinguishing themselves in the marketplace.   Read More »

CCRC resident will sing for board

A college vocal performance major will spend the semester living in a retirement community as a result of a partnership between the CCRC and Drake University. Haley Jenkins will sing two concerts a month in exchange for free room, board and utilities. Read More »

Social connections and health

New research is emphasizing just how much social connectedness affects the physical side of aging, including chronic conditions like obesity and high blood pressure. Read More »

Activities are more than time fillers

An Activities Department does more than organize bingo games. The department helps residents maintain cognitive function and gives them a sense of independence and dignity. That deserves every department's respect. Read More »

365 days of residents and staff

A Maryland retirement community featured a photo and words to live by from a resident or staff member each day in 2015 in the vein of popular blog Humans of New York. Read More »

Shifting views on exercise for osteoarthritis

Most recommendations for osteoarthritis tend to favor low-impact exercise, but some research indicates that if the osteoarthritis is mild, a little bit of higher impact exercise might do a lot more good. Read More »

Finding a haven

New residents can struggle to combat their fears and find a way to feel useful, but everyone can help them adjust, says resident blogger Kathleen Mears. Read More »

‘Tis the (tech) season

What do seniors want for the holidays? Hint: It’s not slippers. We asked residents what types of technology they wish they had, and you may be surprised what's on their lists. Read More »