Do you remember the family trips you took when you were a kid? A full tank of gas, snacks, and an itinerary was all it took to create lasting memories. Traveling with Mom and Dad now may not be as easy, but can be just as enjoyable. Instead of creating your own vacation from scratch, you may want to consult a travel agency for cruises and tours that take into account the needs of seniors.
Cruises are a good way to vacation because Mom and Dad can choose activities suiting their energy level best. Because of the variety of activities offered on cruises, you can also bring the kids – making the vacation a multi-generational family reunion. One of the benefits of cruise vacations is that there are as many fun activities to do on the ship as there are on dry land. Parents can choose to stay on the ship and relax or join the kids on organized tours away from the ship. After activities are done for the day, the family can enjoy the ship’s dining hall and share experiences.
Tours that specifically cater to older age groups have become more prolific as today’s seniors understand that retirement does not necessarily mean giving up adventure. Tours vary and can range from domestic and relaxing to international and adventurous. You may want to consider energy level, mobility, and personal preference when picking a tour for you and your parents. Try to accommodate their needs by choosing a tour with slower pacing and less strenuous activity. Choosing to go on a tour in mid-summer or mid-winter may not be wise as temperatures can affect health.
Location is also of importance – consider a location that has easy access to private and public transportation. Places where walking is the main form of transportation can be energy draining and less enjoyable. When choosing a location for a family tour, pick places with cultural depth and a calm atmosphere. Places with museums are great because they provide a lot of cultural value and your family can set the pace.
Keep in mind that Mom and Dad may need more time to get ready in the morning as well as falling asleep at night. Always keep tabs on their medications and organize these dosages before leaving home. An itinerary with plenty of time allotted for each activity is essential as it may take Mom and Dad longer to get from one location to another. Also make sure to plan a “day of rest” so that they can recharge for the rest of the trip.
For more senior traveling advice and ideas visit:
Elder Expeditions specializes in adventure tours for 50+ adults: http://www.elderexpeditions.com/
This website hosts educational and cultural immersion tours for seniors: http://www.roadscholar.org/
Great resource if you are looking for slow-paced, peaceful vacation: http://www.slowtrav.com/
A list of the best cruises for seniors: http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=112
Valencia Terrace Blog
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Assisted…Independent…Continuing Care Retirement Community…Senior Apartments – What’s the Difference?
With so many different types of senior communities to choose from it can be pretty confusing. Whether you’re looking for a community full of involvement opportunities, a peaceful place to retire or are in search of a care facility for mom and dad, it's helpful to understand the different lifestyle options that are available. We strongly suggest taking a tour of the community in order to get a first-hand impression of the entire experience.
Here’s a simple breakdown:
Senior Apartment communities are not necessarily senior living facilities (although they may be mistaken for them due to their title). Senior apartments are age-restricted to 55+ only residents and can be owned or rented. Depending on the community, they may have fitness centers or social activities but do not have trained staff on hand to facilitate wellness programming and assist with housekeeping or medications. Also these facilities do not provide daily meals.
Independent Living is an age-restricted, apartment rental community that provides services like transportation, events, wellness programs, and linen and housekeeping services. In addition, IL communities provide a community dining facility with daily meals as well as opportunities for social involvement and cultural enrichment. IL communities do not provide, in a majority of the apartments, assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as supervision of medication, bathing, dressing, toileting, etc.
Assisted Living residents maintain and live in their own apartments and are provided services like housekeeping, dining, wellness, and community activities. Assisted Living provides residents with the ability to maintain their independent lifestyle while giving them the security of supportive care from trained associates based on the amount of support they require. This may involve assistance with any variety of activities of daily living (ADLs) including management of medications, basic hygiene, dressing, ambulating and eating.
Continuing Care Retirement Community – CCRCs are also age-restricted but may combine private cottage homes for members with active lifestyles, Independent Living, Assisted Living, and some memory care and/or skilled nursing services. CCRCs provide members with the comfort of knowing that they can stay in one community as they age even if their needs for support change over time. They usually offer a campus type environment with more amenities and services than most rental communities. Traditionally, CCRC’s have offered payment plans that include an entrance fee (or buy-in) that reduces the monthly payment with some form of refund when the member moves on. Some CCRC’s are offering condo/coop and rental payment plans as well.
At Valencia Terrace we offer Assisted and Independent Living Apartments as well as Private Casitas for active lifestyles. Life at Valencia Terrace is defined by Kisco's The Art of Living WellSM culture. We recognize everyone is unique with their own passions, interests, and experiences. This is why we offer a variety of lifestyle options and flexible programs and services to satisfy your preferences and needs over time. For a more comprehensive understanding of our community and to experience The Art of Living WellSM for yourself we invite you to visit us today.
Here’s a simple breakdown:
Senior Apartment communities are not necessarily senior living facilities (although they may be mistaken for them due to their title). Senior apartments are age-restricted to 55+ only residents and can be owned or rented. Depending on the community, they may have fitness centers or social activities but do not have trained staff on hand to facilitate wellness programming and assist with housekeeping or medications. Also these facilities do not provide daily meals.
Independent Living is an age-restricted, apartment rental community that provides services like transportation, events, wellness programs, and linen and housekeeping services. In addition, IL communities provide a community dining facility with daily meals as well as opportunities for social involvement and cultural enrichment. IL communities do not provide, in a majority of the apartments, assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as supervision of medication, bathing, dressing, toileting, etc.
Assisted Living residents maintain and live in their own apartments and are provided services like housekeeping, dining, wellness, and community activities. Assisted Living provides residents with the ability to maintain their independent lifestyle while giving them the security of supportive care from trained associates based on the amount of support they require. This may involve assistance with any variety of activities of daily living (ADLs) including management of medications, basic hygiene, dressing, ambulating and eating.
Continuing Care Retirement Community – CCRCs are also age-restricted but may combine private cottage homes for members with active lifestyles, Independent Living, Assisted Living, and some memory care and/or skilled nursing services. CCRCs provide members with the comfort of knowing that they can stay in one community as they age even if their needs for support change over time. They usually offer a campus type environment with more amenities and services than most rental communities. Traditionally, CCRC’s have offered payment plans that include an entrance fee (or buy-in) that reduces the monthly payment with some form of refund when the member moves on. Some CCRC’s are offering condo/coop and rental payment plans as well.
At Valencia Terrace we offer Assisted and Independent Living Apartments as well as Private Casitas for active lifestyles. Life at Valencia Terrace is defined by Kisco's The Art of Living WellSM culture. We recognize everyone is unique with their own passions, interests, and experiences. This is why we offer a variety of lifestyle options and flexible programs and services to satisfy your preferences and needs over time. For a more comprehensive understanding of our community and to experience The Art of Living WellSM for yourself we invite you to visit us today.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Grandma’s on Facebook…Really? Really!
At Kisco Senior Living we are always tracking the trends as they relate to our residents and their needs. We are very aware of the seniors’ growing desire to be connected online and we were excited to find some great information posted by the Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA).
Their findings indicate exactly what we’ve observed – more seniors are online. The latest survey data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that 42% of individuals 65 years and older actively access the Internet and 53% live in a setting with Internet access. What is really telling is that 42% represents a 50% jump in Internet use among this age group since 2000.
This is definitely true at Valencia Terrace where we offer our residents free Wi-Fi in all our common spaces including the bistro, club room and library. In addition we are working on offering more computer training and classes…because they are asking us for it! Marjorie Keith one of our original members living in the Casitas, says she uses the internet on a regular basis to send emails and searching for things. “I’m encouraged with all the things there are to learn and the fact that Kari, our Wellness Director is adamantly looking for another instructor. I believe in the internet’s infinite capacity to bring the world information.”
In another report issued by AARP in June, one quarter of 50+ adults use social media websites with 23% of them on Facebook. Nearly 75% of them are connected to relatives other than their children and grandchildren and most were introduced to Facebook by their own children.
Is Marjorie on Facebook? “Well, not yet…but I can’t wait to learn more about it.”
Their findings indicate exactly what we’ve observed – more seniors are online. The latest survey data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that 42% of individuals 65 years and older actively access the Internet and 53% live in a setting with Internet access. What is really telling is that 42% represents a 50% jump in Internet use among this age group since 2000.
This is definitely true at Valencia Terrace where we offer our residents free Wi-Fi in all our common spaces including the bistro, club room and library. In addition we are working on offering more computer training and classes…because they are asking us for it! Marjorie Keith one of our original members living in the Casitas, says she uses the internet on a regular basis to send emails and searching for things. “I’m encouraged with all the things there are to learn and the fact that Kari, our Wellness Director is adamantly looking for another instructor. I believe in the internet’s infinite capacity to bring the world information.”
In another report issued by AARP in June, one quarter of 50+ adults use social media websites with 23% of them on Facebook. Nearly 75% of them are connected to relatives other than their children and grandchildren and most were introduced to Facebook by their own children.
Is Marjorie on Facebook? “Well, not yet…but I can’t wait to learn more about it.”
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