Blog – OurSeniors.org, Inc

Posted: September 11, 2019 by KevinD Leave a Comment

Mixing Child care and Elder care

Children and senior citizens make a great mix. Taking children to visit somebody in a care center is beneficial to both the children and the residents of the facility. When the two generations make a connection, the senior and the child both feel a sense of purpose. The practice of visiting helps seniors who may otherwise feel lonely or isolated. The visit can also help to fill a void for a child who has no grandparents in close proximity.

When a child care center is located in a nursing home, the opportunities for visitation and social interaction are limitless. That is exactly what intergenerational centers have discovered. The concept of mixing two generations is not a new one–families have traditionally had multiple generations living in the same house. Now that people live longer, there are more seniors living in facilities for longer periods of time. They often feel lonely and isolated. The regular contact and interaction with children helps alleviate those feelings. The children also benefit when the child care center is combined with a nursing home. Many families live far away from grandparents, so the children seldom have the opportunity to visit them. The intergenerational center has an environment that facilitates relationships between the two generations.

Several communities have seen various forms of intergenerational centers in recent years. When the seniors and the children are given the opportunity to interact, both sides see success. In some places, an existing nursing home has opened a child care center on their premises. In other places, children are taken to visit a nursing home as a weekly outing. Whatever kind of interaction and activities are planned, the seniors and the children both benefit.

For those who do not have loved ones nearby for visitation, OurSeniors.org was established to help provide the important social visits for residents of facilities. Volunteer or donate to help correct this problem that can so easily be resolved.

Last Updated: August 27, 2019 by KevinD Leave a Comment

Helping a Loved One Transition to a Care Facility

Moving is thought to be one of the most stressful events in life, ranking right up with divorce and death of a loved one. When the scenario is moving into an assisted living facility or nursing home, the stress level is heightened. The anxiety comes from a few different factors. A senior moving into a care facility is dealing with the loss of a certain amount of independence. The family and friends of the senior are also having to face the aging and decline in the health of a loved one. There are some strategies to put in place that can help everyone cope with the move of a loved one to a care facility.

Careful planning can help alleviate some of the stress. Creating a timeline that provides plenty of time for organizing personal items is important. The senior may have a lifetime of mementos to sort, and they will need time to determine which items to keep. Schedule extra time to avoid any feelings of being overwhelmed by the tasks.

It is also important to focus on the positive aspects of the move. Talk about the opportunity to meet new people and to participate in on-site activities. Emphasize the safety and ease of having staff always available for assistance.

The most important part about the move is for the senior to still feel like a part of the family and their social circle. This happens by scheduling regular visits to the facility. Give the senior an opportunity to hear the family news and share pictures from events they cannot attend. During the transition time, regular visits are critical. Without social calls, a resident will feel they have been abandoned by loved ones. A single visit to a senior in a care facility can brighten their day, but scheduling regular visits is most beneficial. The social safety net of consistent visits allows the senior the gift of time during their transition. Without feelings of loneliness and abandonment, they will have an easier time of making friends within the facility. For the resident, a regular schedule of visits provides something to look forward to. It also gives the resident the assurance that they are still important enough to be included in plans with loved ones.

Last Updated: August 13, 2019 by KevinD

Alone and Lonely are Not the Same

Some people enjoy spending time alone, but that is very different from feeling lonely. Loneliness and feelings of isolation go hand in hand and often lead to depression and other problems. Health risks stemming from depression can be just as serious as high blood pressure, obesity, or smoking. The good news is that this is a health issue that can be resolved.

Human beings are social animals who spend most of their lives surrounded by other people. A typical social circle includes family, relatives, neighbors, school pals, church groups and co-workers. Although some of the relationships become more meaningful than others, they all contribute to that needed component of socialization.

When people age, several factors can change their social connections and habits. Their social circle naturally dwindles as friends and family pass away. A loss of driving privileges limits the possibility of independent outings. Hearing difficulties make conversation difficult for both the speaker and the listener. Loss of strength and other health issues make mobility harder and harder. While all these factors can contribute to the feelings of loneliness and isolation, one of the prime factors is a move to a nursing home or assisted living facility. Friends and family often lose touch and neglect to go for regular visits.

There are many explanations for why an elderly resident in a facility does not get many visits. Sometimes, loved ones have a difficult time accepting the move on an emotional level or the facility might simply be too far away to be convenient. But the resident needs to have social visits to ward off the feelings of loneliness and isolation. The social interaction provides a feeling of self-worth for the resident. Even a short visit is invaluable in the life of a lonely senior.

OurSeniors.org was established to help provide the important social visits for residents of facilities who otherwise receive little or no social calls. Volunteer or donate to help correct this problem that can so easily be resolved.

Last Updated: August 6, 2019 by KevinD

Volunteering to Visit an Isolated Senior

In recent years, assisted living centers and nursing homes have become popular lifestyles for seniors. The facilities are numerous throughout Central Florida where there is a significant population of seniors. The accommodations offer needed assistance for those who are unable to care for themselves. For some people, the lifestyle offers an active social life and many visits from loved ones. For others, it can turn into an isolated life that leads to depression. The isolation can occur when health and mobility issues prevent socialization, or when loved ones avoid visiting. For a lonely senior who lives in a facility, a visit can provide the comfort to relieve the feelings of seclusion.

When arranging a visit to an unfamiliar senior in a facility, some planning can help the visit to go smoothly. After deciding on the best time and day for the social call, try to find out about the background and interests of the resident. Someone who enjoys literature might appreciate having a visitor read to them. Others, might want to dictate a letter. Some residents might even enjoy playing a game of cards. Of course, conversation is always a good activity too when common interests can be found.

It is also important to remember that the length of the visit is unimportant. A 15-minute stay can feel like a lifeline to a lonely senior. On the other hand, a visit that lasts too long can also be exhausting for both the visitor and the resident.

Ourseniors.org is on a mission to reach out to isolated seniors in the local community. Help bring joy to their lives by donating or volunteering to visit a facility.

Last Updated: July 30, 2019 by KevinD

Bringing a Child to Visit a Loved One

When planning a trip to a nursing home or assisted living facility to see a loved one, the question of whether or not to include children may surface. Of course, the individual situation will need to be considered, but it can be a fun and rewarding experience for both the child and the resident.

As with any excursion, preparation is the key to having a successful visit between an elderly loved one and a child. Begin the planning by discussing expectations with the child. Explain any health conditions in a way the child will understand – whether the loved one will look different, or have difficulty remembering faces and names. The arrival of a child in a facility can be an exciting event for all the residents, so the child should be prepared for the attention. Many of the residents may want to talk or interact with the child, so discuss how to react to that attention.

The other part of preparing for a child’s visit is to plan an activity. This will depend on the abilities and interests of both the child and the senior. Some children might enjoy playing a card game with the senior, others might like to read a story aloud. By the middle of elementary school age, a child could prepare some questions and interview the senior. These are just a few suggestions to help decide on an appropriate activity.

OurSeniors.org sends volunteers to nursing homes and assisted living facilities to provide comfort through visitation. It can be especially heartwarming for children to experience the visitations too. Visit a loved one in a nursing home or assisted living facility, then help us to help somebody who feels isolated.

Last Updated: July 25, 2019 by KevinD

Visit a Senior and make their day!

Humans are social animals, even when they become senior citizens. As youngsters in school and as adults in the work world, people are encouraged to interact with others and make friends. But what happens when an older adult is sent to a nursing home or assisted living facility? They find themselves in an unfamiliar environment and living with virtual strangers. The same circumstances that make these facilities the best living option for medical and custodial care, also isolates them. Health issues, such as limited mobility or hearing impairment, can make it difficult to socialize. Some individuals are determined enough to overcome the obstacles and make new friends. Unfortunately, the more common scenario is a senior who feels isolated and hopeless.

Visits to these people can make a huge impact on their mental health. A few minutes of conversation with an elderly person can break up their day, give them something to look forward to, and keep heir mind active. Many researchers believe that the visitor often feels as much benefit as the person receiving the visit. Take the time to visit somebody in one of these facilities to experience the win-win feeling.

OurSeniors.org exists to reach out to those feeling isolated in local facilities. Through donations and volunteer efforts, Ourseniors.org is dedicated to visiting and comforting the elderly population in the community.

Posted: July 25, 2019 by KevinD

Visiting a Loved One in a Facility

When an elderly person is placed into a nursing home or assisted living facility, an adjustment period takes place for both the resident and their loved ones. Assimilating to a new lifestyle can take some time. Family and friends often struggle with the change and the emotions that come with it. In some cases, families disagree about the arrangement, in other instances there can be feelings of guilt. Sadly, these situations often result in loved ones avoiding a visit to the nursing home or assisted living facility. This leaves the senior feeling abandoned and isolated. With some planning, a visit to an isolated loved one can be both satisfying and enjoyable.

First, determine the best day and time for a visit, when the senior is fresh and rested. Ensure that the timing does not interfere with meal time or other activities. Then, decide on the length of the visit, keeping in mind that a lengthy visit is not necessary, and often may be too tiring for the senior. Even a 15-minute timeframe can brighten the day for someone who feels isolated. If the visit goes well, it can be extended, or planned for another day.

Finally, decide what to talk about during the visit. News of family and friends can be a good conversation starter. Fond memories are another discussion possibility. Avoid negative or stressful issues. Once the visit begins, conversation will flow, and time will fly.

OurSeniors.org seeks to help seniors in nursing homes and assisted living facilities by providing volunteers for visitation. Visit a loved one in a nursing home or assisted living facility, then help us to help somebody who feels isolated in a nursing home or assisted living facility.

Posted: July 16, 2019 by KevinD

Feelings of Isolation in Seniors

As song claims, “One is the Loneliest Number” and that can be alarmingly true for many senior citizens who feel isolated in nursing homes or assisted living facilities. Feelings of isolation can be a health hazard. Isolation is known to cause depression, which often leads to other health problems. When people age, their social circle, and often their social skills decline. It is that lack of social interaction that causes the feelings of isolation and depression.

Social interaction decreases in the elderly population for a variety of reasons. Social circles and support networks shrink as family members and close friends pass away or move on. Many senior citizens suffer from hearing deficiencies, making it frustrating to carry on conversations. Poor vision or faulty cognitive function can mean they are no longer able to drive. Any of these factors can be a culprit in causing feelings of isolation. The problem is compounded when the older person is moved to a nursing home or assisted living facility where they may feel they have been abandoned.

Social interaction is the key to avoiding the feelings of isolation and the subsequent depression. OurSeniors.org seeks to improve this situation in local facilities. OurSeniors.org provides volunteers to visit isolated seniors. A personal visit and an exchange of conversation is often all it takes to save a senior from isolation and depression. Please help us to help somebody who feels isolated.

Posted: July 2, 2019 by KevinD

Health risks associated with isolation and loneliness

As more and more Baby Boomers reach retirement age, the health risks associated with isolation and loneliness have come to light. Annie Dillard, a Pulitzer Prize winning author, once wrote that, “The surest sign of age is loneliness.” There are many reasons that seniors might find themselves in a lonely or isolated situation. As people age, close friends, co-workers, neighbors, and family members pass away. Medical and health issues often necessitate people to re-locate to a nursing home or an assisted living facility (ALF). Either of these lifestyle changes can lead to isolation and associated problems for seniors. Declining physical and mental health have been linked to loneliness and isolation. It is also believed that loneliness can lead to declining cognition and eventually dementia.

OurSeniors.org wants to help solve this problem. By volunteering to provide visitation, comfort and love, OurSeniors.org can help to solve this problem. A social visit from a volunteer has the power to change a day of despair into a day of delight.

Last Updated: June 19, 2019 by Russellb

OurSeniors.org is a new addition to the OurSeniors Family

The OurSeniors family continues growing with the unveiling of ourseniors.org. OurSeniors.org joins OurSeniors.net and OurSeniorsDiscounts.net in bringing information and assistance to our older generations.

OurSeniors.net provides access to our quarterly magazine along with a directory of reliable vendors providing needs important to seniors today. The expanding directory of OurSeniors.net is populated with the very best senior-friendly businesses who have undergone careful a screening process to be sure that meet our high standards of honesty and integrity. From legal representation to real estate to veteran’s services, OurSeniors.net has senior living covered. Senior news and educational social events such our Brunch and Learn are found at OurSeniors.net, as well as many other compelling topics in our active blog.

OurSeniorsDiscounts.net adds even more value to our network of business providers by offering coupons for their services and a growing community of local vendors. OurSeniorsDiscounts.net vendors appreciate our seniors and what they have done for us. Our vendors know that seniors are a growing demographic that are loyal to businesses that treat their customers right.

Our newcomer site, OurSeniors.org, is an organization dedicated to visiting and caring for lonely seniors in assisted living facilities and nursing homes. We are very excited to get to work with a growing group of staff and volunteers eager to use their talents, time, and efforts to lift the spirits and bring a smile to the face of those who feel like they have been forgotten. We are there to bring happiness with birthday and holiday gifts, and visits. Our goal is to build up a local family for those in need. To meet this goal, we will bring along other visitors and children to spend time with seniors in facilities and bring joy into their lives. If you are interested in supporting our cause and changing someone’s life for the better, consider a donation for a relative, friend, neighbor, or even a stranger. All proceeds will go towards supplies and items to share with our visited seniors.

This is your chance to bring happiness and joy to the seniors who have been around for us and have helped throughout our lives. We will leave you with a thought to consider: How many diapers did your parents change for you when you were a child?