Assisted Living

Misconceptions of Senior Living

New Haven is all about personalizing your families stay as much as possible. New Haven wants you and your loved one to feel all the comforts of home during their stay. Our communities offer a robust Life Enrichment program providing an active environment each day. Our resident have the luxury of planning their own day, they can be as active as they want or as private as they choose. For some, moving into a senior living community can be very intimidating. New Haven wants your loved ones move to be as easy and comforting as possible.

Misconception: Senior living is arranged for a one-size-fits-all.

Truth: New Haven offers tailored personalized care and services to fit each resident’s unique needs. Due to our size, we are flexible to meet your loved ones needs.

Misconception: Once you move into a community you cannot leave with family or friends.

Truth: New Haven encourages residents to enjoy time with family and friends, whether it be within our community or outside of our community. We encourage family and friends to visit at any time, because your family is our family. We even allow our residents to go on vacations with families, everyone needs a vacation!

Misconception: You won’t be able to make friends.

Truth: Transitioning into senior living can be difficult. Our team makes every effort to ensure your loved one is engaged and part of our daily social and recreational activities. Our residents enjoy companionship over delicious meals, friendship and caring are optimized. Our size allows our residents to connect with others quickly and the feeling of insecurity or depression is minimized.

Misconception: There is no reason to move while you are still healthy.

Truth: Seniors who transition early into assisted living have a better chance at saying physically, emotionally and mentally connected as they age, compared to those Seniors who choose to stay at home. Staying active, eating healthy, sleeping well and taking care of oneself can slow the risk of mortality for seniors as they age. Seniors that live on their own succumb to bad habits when no one is around to encourage an active lifestyle.

Misconception: It won’t feel like home.

New Haven designed each of our residences to feel like a single-family home. Our small cozy size helps each new resident transition comfortably from their previous home. New Haven provides very individualized care, robust activity programs and specially designed communities that help seniors continue to thrive with all the comforts of home. New Haven offers all private bedrooms and private bathrooms, residents can personalize their private apartment space to their liking. Our goal is for our residents to feel at home the moment they step in the door.

Misconception: It is far too expensive.

Many seniors first concern when looking for a senior living community is cost. However, it is important to examine overall cost of daily living for our seniors. Consider your budget. Determine what sort of monthly budget you are able to afford. Consider financial resources such as VA Aid & Attendance for Veterans, Long Term Care insurance, home equity, personal income and savings or financial support from family.

Heart Health Month at New Haven

5 Heart Healthy Habits For Seniors during American Heart Month in February -#ourhearts are healthier together

No matter what age you are, you can keep your heart healthy, it does take some effort and possibly changes in your every day routine such as, eating a heart healthy diet and increasing your activity level. Here are some suggestions to keep your parent or Senior loved one’s heart in great shape!

Eat Healthy – As we age our bodies change, less muscle mass, our bodies burn fewer calories so it is important to maintain a healthy weight. Eating a heart healthy diet is essential in ones overall health and wellbeing. Eating less fatty meats and incorporating more Omega-3s such as salmon or trout. Eggs are also rich foods that offer high protein and vitamins and minerals. Try to get at least five servings of vegetables and fruits per day. Fruit and vegetables are low in calories and high in vitamins, minerals and fiber. Dairy or milk products provide Vitamin D and calcium, as well as cheese, soy, rice and almonds. Fiber rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, beans, whole-grains and nuts will help lower blood cholesterol.
Information on Medication Management – In order to avoid possible complications with medications, schedule frequent Physician visits to review medications. Make sure your taking your medications as prescribed by your Physician. Presort pills in daily reminder boxes if you take multiple medications. Know which medications you can take together, and which medications you can’t, or which medications need to be taken with foods or liquids. Watch for side effects. Dispose of old drugs that are expired or discontinued medications by your Physician.
Plenty of Sleep – Sleep can have many affects on seniors that most might ignore. Poor quality sleep may cause memory loss or forgetfulness. Feeling groggy or less alert might lead to increased falls. Consuming too much caffeine throughout the day can affect sleep quality. Maintaining a regular bed and wake time schedule will help your body get used to a pattern. Aiming for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night. Proper sleep helps keep your mind alert, preserves energy levels and helps you live life to the fullest.
Stay Mentally Healthy – Many Seniors deal with mental stress, depression and anxiety, worsening their overall quality of life. Connecting with others as often as possible helps with isolation and loneliness. Staying in touch with family and friends which can also help create opportunities for Seniors to interact with others in their neighborhood or Assisted Living communities. Exercise can also improve mental health and might be just as affective as medications. Relieving stress, can also benefit psychological health. Getting fresh air, and a change of scenery can help boost ones mood and can be as simple as taking a walk outside. Mental exercises such as puzzles, reading and brain exercises are also important to stay mentally healthy.
Vision Changes – Annual eye checkup is a simple, low-stress way to keep tabs on your eyes and overall health. What Seniors do not realize is that an eye exam can also uncover symptoms of significant health problems.

5 New Year’s Resolutions for Seniors

Here at New Haven Assisted Living we pride ourselves on not only caring for our residents but having the ability to share our insights with everyone on things you can do at home and in the community to keep our seniors safe.

1. Stay Active

Physical activity is important for older adults. Exercise such as walking, chair aerobics, water aerobics, tai chi and stretching can help control weight, build muscles and bones, improve balance, posture and mood. Even if you suffer from heart disease, diabetes or arthritis, many of these conditions may get better with mild to moderate physical activity!

2. See your Doctor Regularly

Regular wellness visits with your healthcare provider is important. Discuss any changes in your health, review advance directives and medications. Annual screening tests are important to remember. Ask your doctor if you should be getting any new booster or immunization shots.

3. Protect Yourself From Falls

Falls are the leading cause of injuries and death among older adults. Eliminate items in your home that are trip hazard like, throw rugs, excess furniture and wet floors. Exercising can increase your strength, balance and flexibility and help avoid falls. Ask your Doctor to check your medication to make sure you are not taking anything that can make you more likely for a fall. Insert safety rails or grab bars in your bathroom and install night lights so that it is easier to see at night.

4. Keep An Active Mind

Being physically active is just as important as staying mentally active. Our brain controls happiness and as we age, mental health is an important part of being able to live independently. Some stimulating activities include arts and crafts, word games, crossword puzzles, bingo, jigsaw puzzles, trivia and reading. Keeping an active mind is essential to a healthy well-being.

5. Rekindle An Old Friendship OR Find New Friends

You are never too old to find new friends or reach out to an old one. There are many ways to connect such as social media, write a letter, a phone call or video chat. Staying social is a great way to connect with friends in your community. Attending Church, exercise classes, Senior Centers, Volunteering, and visiting with your neighbors. Socialization is vital to your health physically, mentally and emotionally.