Senior Living Information Blog

Iconic Chicago Architect Dies of Alzheimer's Disease

Luckily his beautiful buildings live on making our skyline so recognizable. 

Bruce Graham, 84, the architect behind the Sears (OK Willis) Tower and the John Hancock died in his home due to complications from Alzheimer's disease.  You can read the article about him and his accomplishments in the Chicago Tribune.

Seniors for Living's list of helpful caregiving resources on Twitter

Thank you to Seniors for Living for compiling a helpful list of Caregiving resources that they follow on Twitter.  Thank you especially for including @seniorlivingexp we are honored to be part of such a great group of people!

You can also follow me on Facebook!

Jilted bride throws 'reception' for senior living community near Chicago

I was reading a copy of last months AARP Bulletin on our drive home from Florida and came across this article.  As I read it again out loud to my husband Jason who was driving, tears came to my eyes so I ripped it out so I could remember to share it on my blog.  I don't know who you are Teanne Harris, but I think you are the bomb.

Jilted Bride Throws Bash Anyways - When Teanne Harris' fiance got cold feet six days before their late October wedding, a retirement community in Des Plaines, Ill., got a special treat.

After finding out it was too late for a refund for the reception, Harris decided to turn her Halloween-themed wedding celebration into a holiday party for the 340 residents of Asbury Court Retirement Community.

"She didn't know anyone here," says marketing director Jean Higgason. "But she offered to move everything - food, flowers, table decorations and the DJ" - to the seniors.

"I worked really hard on planning for the perfect party, and it would have broken my heart even more to have it go to waste," says Harris, 34 of Bensenville, Ill.  The residents "helped me out by giving me some joy watching them enjoy it." - reported by Cathie Gandel.

Happy New Year

The new year is but a few hours away.  I have the pleasure of spending it with my family at my parents home in their "55 and better" community in Florida.  As I have been here, I have noticed a lot of people living for the moment and enjoying their time, their friends and their hobbies.  I even attended 2 yoga classes, which were both excellent and enjoyable.  More yoga is one of my resolutions.  I vow to "learn" how to relax and enjoy more in 2010 and I hope you will too!  Until next year...

Are You or Someone You Know Caring For an Elderly Loved One?

A few years ago, I had the chance to meet Barbara Friesner, and Elder Care Expert and Founder of AgeWiseLiving.  A while ago, she created “The Ultimate Caregiver’s Success System” which I recommend to any caregiver dealing with an aging parent. 

Just in time for the holidays, she is offering $100 off AND a free upgrade on shipping so that you can order today and get it in time for Christmas.  It’s a great gift so I thought I would share some information on it!  I had them send me this description because I know she could explain it better than I!

Did you know that more than 1/3 of elder caregivers had long term health problems because of elder caregiving?

In fact, researchers have found that there is a 63% increase in mortality over 4 years, compared with non-caregivers.  And the numbers are worse when there is also financial strain.

Did you know that almost all respondents reported that they paid one or more expenses in order to help the care recipient? (Food, transportation, and medications were their three most common expenses.) And these are just miscellaneous costs – not including loss of pay, pension, social security, etc.

Barbara Friesner, Elder Care Expert, Generational Coach, and former caregiver to her grandmother, and her mother, has helped hundreds of families with their Elder Care issues.

That’s why she created “The Ultimate Caregiver’s Success System.” And right now, Barbara is offering it at $100 off the regular price! And right now, until December 22nd, you'll also receive a free upgrade from ground to air shipping at no additional cost! To order just click on this link “The Ultimate Caregiver’s Success System”

If you’re a caregiver or care about someone who is, please don’t wait until these statistics are about you. Give yourself or someone you love the gift of love and order “The Ultimate Caregiver’s Success System” at this special sale price today and get the help you need today.

”The Ultimate Caregiver’s Success System” is an amazingly comprehensive and information-rich resource that is guaranteed to address your most difficult questions, roadblocks, and communication breakdowns that are so typical for elder caregivers.

Because no one has time and money to waste – especially caregivers –“The Ultimate Caregiver’s Success System” is a very simple step-by-step and easy to follow program.

 The System includes “The Ultimate Caregiver’s Success GUIDE” which has checklists, examples . . . all kinds of information – that makes the process easy to understand and more importantly, easy to be successful. In addition, the System includes 8 CDs –6 seminars, 1 CD of all the forms in the book, and 1 CD with Barbara's rolodex of resources, plus the 3 CD boxed set of the Expert Series. That’s The Ultimate Caregiver’s Success Guide and 11 CDs.

Just for fun!

This is just one of those emails that someone forwards to you, but I got a kick out of it.

Grandma is eighty-eight years old and still drives her own car. She writes:


Dear Grand-daughter,

The other day I went up to our local Christian book store and saw a
"Honk if you love Jesus' bumper sticker "

I was feeling particularly sassy that day because I had just come from a
thrilling choir performance, followed by a thunderous prayer meeting.

So, I bought the sticker and put it on my bumper. Boy, am I glad I did; what an uplifting experience that followed.

I was stopped at a red light at a busy intersection, just lost in
thought about the Lord and how good he is, and I didn't notice that the
light had changed.

It is a good thing someone else loves Jesus because if he hadn't honked, I'd never have noticed.

I found that lots of people love Jesus!

While I was sitting there, the guy behind started honking like crazy,
and then he leaned out of his window and screamed, 'For the love of
God!'

'Go! Go! Go! Jesus Christ, GO!'

What an exuberant cheerleader he was for Jesus!

Everyone started honking!

I just leaned out my window and started waving and smiling at all those
loving people.

I even honked my horn a few times to share in the love!

There must have been a man from Florida back there because I heard him
yelling something about a sunny beach.

I saw another guy waving in a funny way with only his middle finger
stuck up in the air.

I asked my young teenage grandson in the back seat what that meant.

He said it was probably a Hawaiian good luck sign or something.

Well, I have never met anyone from Hawaii , so I leaned out the window
and gave him the good luck sign right back.

My grandson burst out laughing.

Why even he was enjoying this religious experience!!

A couple of the people were so caught up in the joy of the moment that
they got out of their cars and started walking towards me.

I bet they wanted to pray or ask what church I attended, but this is
when I noticed the light had changed.

So, grinning, I waved at all my brothers and sisters, and drove on
through the intersection.

I noticed that I was the only car that got through the intersection
before the light changed again and felt kind of sad that I had to leave
them after all the love we had shared.

So I slowed the car down, leaned out the window and gave them all the
Hawaiian good luck sign one last time as I drove away. Praise the Lord
for such wonderful folks!!

Will write again soon,

Love, Grandma

GPS shoes that could help with 'wandering' Alzheimer's patients

They are currently developing shoes with GPS in them for Alzheimer's patients that wander.  This technology will help families and authorities locate someone who has wandered away, a condition of the disease that many experience. 

It is easier than putting a device on them such as a necklace or a bracelet as they are usually taken off.  Because these are embedded in the shoes, they are always on.

The shoes are being developed by GTX Corp., which makes miniaturized Global Positioning Satellite tracking and location-transmitting technology, and Aetrex Worldwide, a footwear manufacturer.

I can imagine that this would help save someone's life someday, maybe more.  For more information check out GPS shoes for Alzheimer's patients.

Help for limited English speaking elderly in Chicago

Is there a senior in your family that speaks very little to no English?  Are you concerned that they may need help now or in the future?  Most families would like someone who not only can communicate with them and speak their language, but also is familiar with their customs.

There is an organization in Chicago that can help.  C.L.E.S.E or Coalition of Limited English Speaking Elderly.  Their mission is "to improve the lives of limited-English-speaking elderly by providing advocacy, leadership & education.

As we know there are services and programs provided through various agency's on aging to help our elderly.  However, they found that there was an under-utilization of these services because of language and cultural barriers.  They are working to make sure everyone has access.

Why Hire a Senior Move Manager?

We are often unaware of how attached we become to our homes—and their contents—until it’s time to move. This can be especially true for those who have been living in their current homes for the past 30 or 40 years and must suddenly sort through a lifetime of possessions in just a few weeks. In these cases, moving is not just a physical process, but an emotional one as well. Because of the emotional and physical aspects inherent in preparing for a move, it can be helpful to work with a neutral third party such as a Senior Move Manager.

Senior Move Mangers are professionals who have the experience, availability, organizational skills and resources to make the move run efficiently. Most importantly, they have the know-how and objectivity to help with the very emotional process of sorting through possessions.

Senior Move Managers offer a variety of services to help with the moving process:

•    Customized floor plan of the new home.
•    Assistance with sorting and organizing to prepare for the move.
•    Arrange for donation or resale of items.
•    Hire and supervise the moving company.
•    Coordinate with realtors, renovators and other professionals.
•    Managing the move day details.
•    Packing and unpacking services.
•    Arrange and organize furniture and belongings in the new home.

Working with a Senior Move Manager can make the entire moving process less taxing on both you and your loved ones.

This post was graciously written for my blog by Marnie Dawson CRTS, Owner of Dawson Relocation - Professional, Qualified Senior Move Managers.

What is a reverse mortgage?