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If you or a loved one are moving to an independent living facility, you’re probably searching for ways to customize the smaller space and make it feel like home. 

There are lots of ways to make your new home comfortable and unique while maximizing the area. Below are three tips for customizing the small senior space that you shouldn’t overlook. 

1. Choose the Right Furniture

One of the most important parts of customizing any small space is picking the right furniture. Whether you’re preparing a new area for yourself or a loved one, selecting furniture is one of the first steps. 

Look for pieces that work well in smaller spaces, like a round coffee table instead of a rectangular one. A round table is easy to walk around and leaves space for an extra chair. Also, going with a glass table over a wooden one will open up the space well and make it appear larger, thanks to the translucent material.

When it comes to small senior spaces, down-scaling your furniture is the name of the game. Choosing smaller versions of typical furniture can maximize your space and still provide you with all of the same comforts you’re used to. 

Many furniture manufacturers have started rolling out showcases designed specifically for small senior spaces, so look to see what’s available. However, keep in mind that everything looks smaller when it’s inside a large furniture store, so make sure you know the measurements of your new space before you start shopping. 

2. Define Your Independent Living in Bradenton, FL, Space

A great way to make your small space seem larger and more personalized is to give each area or room a unique decor style. When it comes to independent living in Bradenton, FL, or an assisted living facility, small senior spaces are made to be customized.

To define each of your rooms, use specific color schemes or decorating motifs. You can also create distinct areas even if you don’t have different rooms to work with. Try using room dividers or wall curtains to create separate spaces and customize each area uniquely. 

Remember, lighter colors will open up a room or area, so if you’re trying to make your smaller space appear larger, try painting your walls a color like beige or eggshell. 

3. Create a Focal Point

You may not know this, but one of the oldest secrets to decorating small spaces for independent living in Bradenton, FL, is creating a focal point with a large piece of art. 

It’s amazing how a big piece on your wall can tie the whole place together and make it seem larger as well. When it comes to customizing small senior spaces, this is a trick that can’t be overlooked. 

You can pick any piece that speaks to you – a map, a painting, or even a rug hanging on the wall. No matter what you choose, visitors’ eyes will be drawn to the art, so make sure it’s something spectacular!

Planning a movie marathon for seniors in independent living is not very different from planning one for seniors in high school. You’ll need plenty of snacks, good volume control, and a few sideline activities to keep the energy going.

8 Tips to Make Your Independent Living Facility Movie Marathon a Success

At Westminster Point Pleasant, we love planning special events at our independent living in Bradenton, FL. We hope these tips for a fun-filled holiday movie marathon will help make your holidays a little brighter.

1. Invite Family Members to Join the Fun

The holidays can be especially difficult for older adults who are isolated from their family members. Your loved one’s health or location may make it impossible to be with you or your children for traditional celebrations. Making a special effort to get family members to join their loved ones for movie night will make the event even more fun. 

2. Start Early

You may be able to watch your favorite holiday movies into the wee hours, but chances are most residents can’t. Consider starting early—perhaps right after breakfast—to fit in as many movies as possible and accommodate different schedule preferences.

3. Choose Family-Friendly Classics

Movie selection is crucial to the success of a marathon event. It’s a Wonderful Life and White Christmas are enduring favorites, but you shouldn’t be afraid to branch out a little. Include movies that celebrate other holidays besides Christmas as well as films that represent diversity. As long as you keep the movies family-friendly, everyone will be happy.

4. Plan Alternative Activities

Even the most devoted cinephile is bound to nod off if they sit around for too long. Have a few other activities going on as you run the films to maintain energy in the room. 

You might set up a crafting station a bit removed from the action where folks can make personalized ornaments. Residents may also enjoy a table where they can address holiday cards. Having a holiday-themed raffle or a visit from Santa Claus would also be fun.

5. Take Breaks

You know what it’s like to sit in the theater, debating whether you should use the bathroom and risk missing an important part of the movie! Plan your movie event around regular dining hours, and include at least one scheduled break for trips to the restroom during each film. 

6. Don’t Forget the Snacks

Popcorn is essential for any movie, but it’s not the only movie snack you need. Keep in mind the different dietary needs of those at the independent living facility. Choose healthy options to go along with all of the cookies and platters of candy that are sure to appear.

7. Have Singing Intermissions

A 10-20 minute break between movies is essential to give everyone a chance to use the bathroom, but you don’t want the enthusiasm to weaken too much between films. Print out (large print) lyric sheets to everyone’s favorite holiday tunes to sing together during breaks.

8. Play Movie Bingo

Make up specialized bingo cards based on items you’re sure to see in any holiday movie, such as someone wearing a Santa hat, a plate of cookies, snow, a menorah, or a Christmas tree. Have prizes ready for the eagle-eyed participants who manage to fill a line on their Bingo card.

We think it’s important to keep having fun no matter what age you are. Independent living in Bradenton, FL, should include plenty of lifelong learning opportunities like making holiday crafts with friends. 

So get out your glue gun and your creative spirit and brighten up the holidays with these festive crafts.

1. Flannel Trees

This craft could not be easier to complete, yet it looks like you purchased it from a high-end department store. You will need:

• A foam or cardboard cone
• Small pearl-headed pins
• A hot glue gun and glue
• 1-inch wide strips of flannel from old, unwanted flannel shirts
• A rustic metal star to place on top

Wind the strips of flannel around the cone from bottom to top. If using foam, pin the fabric in place as needed, being sure to put pins in the back of the tree. Use hot-glue to attach fabric if you are using cardboard cones.

Glue a star at the top, and that’s it! These trees are cozy and cute. They make wonderful gifts, or you can use them to dress up your independent living apartment.

2. Buffalo Fleece Hand Warmers

These smart hand warmers are useful and thoughtful. We like buffalo check fleece, but you can use any pattern you like.

You’ll need the following supplies:

• Two four-inch squares of buffalo check fleece
• Needle and thread
• Plain uncooked white rice
• A funnel
• Straight pins

Place two pieces of fleece right sides together with edges aligned. Pin into place if needed. Whipstitch three of the four sides together. Use the funnel to fill the pocket with rice, and sew the last side closed.

To use, pop the hand warmers into the microwave for about 30 seconds. The rice will warm up and keep your hands toasty for a surprisingly long time.

3. Festive Candlesticks

This is a great upcycling idea if you have old candlesticks that you never use. You can also purchase inexpensive wooden candlesticks online or at the craft store for this project.

You will need:

• Candlestick(s) for taper candles
• Glass ornaments in assorted sizes
• A hot glue gun

Arrange a variety of ornaments around the candlestick to create a pleasing design. Once you have a plan in mind, begin gluing the ornaments to the candlestick, taking care to cover as much of the surface as possible. The final result will look like a circle of ornaments effortlessly surrounding a candle.

4. Salt Shaker Snow Globes

What’s winter without a snow globe? You can make your own miniature winter wonderland or share it with friends at your independent living facility.

You will need:

• Clear salt and pepper shakers (clean and dry)
• Salt
• Miniature trees, animal figurines, or other small items
• A funnel
• Long-handled tweezers

Remove the top from the shaker and fill it about one-third full with salt using the funnel. Use the tweezers to place the decorative items securely in the salt. Arrange a pleasing vignette and replace the top carefully without disturbing the design. These fun items would make a wonderful addition to the holiday décor in a shared dining room.

A “Hot” Tip from Westminster Point Pleasant Independent Living in Bradenton, FL

Hot glue can cause painful burns on your fingertips if you’re not careful. Keep a dish of ice handy just in case an accident happens. Better yet, consider investing in a safe, budget-friendly “cool glue” gun. Cool glue isn’t ideal for every type of adhesion, but it will work well for the lightweight materials used in these projects.

Moving to a high-quality assisted living Sarasota facility doesn’t mean that you can’t leave. Instead, you can drive when you want and go wherever you’d like on your schedule. However, it is important to follow a few safety guidelines to minimize the risk of serious injury or harm you may experience.

Know Your Capacities

As we age, we lose some of our physical capabilities. These can affect how safely we drive. For example, if you can’t turn your head to the right and left easily anymore, you could easily miss out on warning signs for potentially dangerous driving situations. Also, talk to your assisted living Sarasota home to learn more about how your medications may affect your driving skills. Doing so could save a life.

Understand Driving Guidelines for Your Center 

Does your assisted living Sarasota home have driving guidelines for its seniors? For example, do you have to drive at a specific speed when you’re at the center? These guidelines are important to follow because they’re set up to help seniors avoid serious accidents. By taking the time to understand these facets, you can do what you can to minimize your struggles in this situation.

Get Your Vision and Hearing Checked 

As a senior, you may have some vision and hearing troubles that should be regularly checked. It’s a good idea to get checked at least once a year, minimally. However, we strongly recommend that you get tested at least every four or five months, as it isn’t uncommon for hearing and vision loss to affect seniors late in life. Getting help can be key to avoiding serious driving dangers. 

Consider a Driving Partner 

When you move into an assisted living Sarasota home, you’ll likely make a broad new range of friends that you can spend time with every day. Thankfully, this should make it easier for you to find a driving partner whenever you go out. An assisted living Sarasota, Florida, facility may even help introduce you to someone who needs to go out when you drive, helping make your experience safer. 

You Can Stay Safe

If you’re moving into an assisted living Sarasota, Florida, facility and plan on driving, it is important to continually assess your abilities to ensure that you don’t take any unnecessary risks. By keeping track of your abilities and being honest about them, you can minimize your risk of serious driving dangers.

Are you looking for an assisted living Sarasota home and aren’t sure where to start? You’re not alone. Finding the kind of assisted living Sarasota Florida can trust requires a lot of careful attention and research. You need to know a few different things about each care center to ensure you get the best experience. Here’s what you need to know about this situation and what to expect. 

Basic Elements You Can’t Ignore 

The most important things about assisted living homes don’t change from state to state. You need a high quality of care and much more. Just a few things to consider include:

• Price – How much is your assisted living Sarasota home charging you to stay there? This factor is very important because you need to find the right option for your budget!
• Size – Don’t gauge just the overall size of the facility, but also where you’ll be staying. Will you feel comfortable where you plan on living? Do you have all the personal space you need?
• Personality of Caregivers – Are your caregivers friendly and warm? Do they welcome you when you come to visit? Do you feel comfortable with them?
• Location – Do you want a care facility that is as close to the ocean as possible? Or would you like one closer to your kids? Consider these factors carefully as you make your decisions.

A Checklist for Finding an Assisted Living Sarasota Home

After you find a handful of assisted living Sarasota Florida homes that meet your needs, it is time to weigh them using a detailed checklist:

• Housekeeping Help – What kind of services do they provide for day-to-day care?
• Transportation Options – Will your care center take you where you need to go?
• Meal Choices – Are all delicious dining options served at your assisted living Sarasota Florida home?
• Personal Care – How much personal care does your assisted living home provide you?
• Visitation Options – Can you regularly welcome guests to your assisted living facility with ease?
• Recreational Choices – Does your care facility provide you with many fun activities? 

Find the Sarasota Assisted Living Home You Want

By paying attention to these facets, you can ensure that you don’t end up in an assisted living Sarasota home that doesn’t suit your needs. In this way, you can protect from any complications or regret in choices!

Depending on you or your loved one’s situation, if you are looking for Bradenton assisted living, you may want to consider a memory care facility. Memory care facilities are usually built for retirees with Alzheimer’s disease, a progressive degenerative condition that affects memory. 

While there’s currently no cure, there are several treatment options that a memory care facility can provide that will help those suffering from memory loss.

How Memory Care Facilities Helps with Memory Loss

Memory care facilities are designed to address the unique needs of people with memory loss. These facilities employ specialized caregivers that provide residents with day-to-day supervision, guidance, and support in a structured setting. The structure each day helps residents minimize confusion and settle into a regular schedule. 

Memory care facilities provide peace and comfort to the residents and the family members of residents. Caring for a loved one with memory loss is not easy, and it can bring a lot of stress and unnecessary agitation to a family. Memory programs eliminate this stress while still giving loved ones a friendly and supportive community.

Memory Care Facility Amenities 

Memory care facilities often feature the same amenities and health care services as assisted living facilities, with some minor differences.

Standard amenities at memory care facilities:

• Private dining rooms and visitors corners
• Fitness center
• Therapeutic pool
• Common areas including recreation rooms and TV rooms
• Game rooms
• Courtyard
• Walking paths
• WiFi service

Additional amenities that you may also find at memory care facilities include:

• Memory boxes to help guide residents
• Anti-wandering devices
• Security systems 
• 24/7 on-site security

Conveniences like these can make a big difference when deciding where to place a loved one. All facilities that offer memory care in Bradenton offer different amenities that you should consider before choosing the place for you or your loved one.

Memory Care Services and Therapy

When it comes to quality care for those suffering from memory loss, amenities are usually not enough to ensure residents are safe and happy. That’s why many memory care facilities also offer a variety of additional services and therapy to the residents.

Standard services and therapy provided on-site include:

• Music therapy
• Animal therapy
• Memory games
• Memory exercises

Many memory care facilities also offer speech therapy to stimulate cognition and help your loved one maintain independence for longer.

Memory Care Facility Living Spaces

While every facility is different, most memory care facilities look and feel more like a traditional residential setting. Some communities even feature individual housing units that connect to the community spaces. 

Most facilities will have private living spaces that can be personalized and usually include cable TV and telephone service. Usually, memory care units do not include cooking appliances to keep residents safe. While residents are free to enjoy their private living quarters as much as they want, they are also encouraged to spend time in community areas and engage in social activities.

Bradenton Assisted Living

Bradenton is a wonderful community for all types of assisted living, whether it is an independent living facility, fully assisted, or a memory care facility. Rest assured that you or your loved one will find what they are looking for in this community.

Living in an assisted living community can be a great option for many retirees. Assisted living communities are becoming more popular and have begun to feature more options for retirees as the years have gone on. 

Pursuing assisted living in Sarasota can be a great decision as you move to the next stage of your life. Here are five benefits to assisted living communities that many seniors enjoy.

1. Safety and Security

One of the most important things to consider as you enter retirement or the next stage of your life is your safety and security. As we get older, accidents are not only more likely but more dangerous, so safety needs to be a top priority. In addition, we are more vulnerable to security incidents in later stages in life, so security needs to be a priority.

Assisted living communities provide ample safety and security. Most facilities have protection in place, including security staff, secured entrances, and alarm systems. You’ll always have someone around to help you in case of an emergency in assisted living in Sarasota.

2. Easy Access to Healthcare

Living outside of assisted living communities means healthcare can sometimes be inconvenient or inaccessible. Depending on where you live, a doctor, skilled nurse, or general emergency assistance could be far away. Living in an assisted living community usually means that you’ll have access to healthcare just feet away from you. Many assisted living facilities in Bradenton, FL, have doctors and nurses on-site 24/7.

3. Social Activities

Most assisted living facilities host a variety of social activities for residents. These range from games to lessons to classes. You can meet new friends that also live in the facility and get to know the staff on-site. Maintaining a healthy social life is key to longevity and happiness and should be part of your consideration no matter where you decide to retire. This is something you’ll want to consider whether you are pursuing assisted living or independent living in Bradenton, FL.

4. More Free Time

Retirement is all about enjoying your time! You’ve worked hard to get to this stage in life, so you don’t want to spend extra time doing chores and everyday tasks. As we get older, it can take longer and longer to complete our necessary daily activities. The staff can help with these tasks in an assisted living community, leaving more time for what you enjoy. 

5. Personalized Care

One of the best things about an assisted living community is the staff. Some of the best service and healthcare staff work in assisted living communities, and you’ll get personalized care that you won’t get anywhere else. You’ll get to know the staff, and they will provide care around your schedule and preferences, unlike hiring a service or going to a hospital. 

Assisted Living in Sarasota

Sarasota is one of the best communities in the country for retirement. It is also home to some of the most luxurious and sought-after assisted living communities. Whether you are looking for your next forever home or a short stint while you figure out what’s next, Sarasota is a great place to be.

A significant portion of retirement communities are individuals past sixty-five years of age. They are at a stage where they can enjoy their new profound freedom, like freedom from doing house chores and cooking. Since these individuals are mostly separated from their families, communication is necessary to eliminate loneliness and ensure they maintain good mental health. Here are the best devices and apps for residents of assisted living facilities in Bradenton, Florida to help them keep in touch with their loved ones.

BeClose

BeClose is one of the most innovative technologies available to residents of Bradenton assisted living. It uses discreet wireless sensors to track an older adult’s daily routine, and the caregiver can check on the data using a secure web page at their convenience. An email, phone, or text alert is sent to the caregiver in case of any disruptions. The fact that the entire system is wireless makes it very easy to set up and operate.

The GrandCare System

The GrandCare system is another innovation that has transformed the care routine in a few Bradenton, Florida assisted living facilities. It runs on a wireless system and connects to any dedicated internet connection to communicate with sensors located in the senior’s residence. The caregiver gains control of multiple aspects like viewing activity, sending communications to their loved ones, and customizing its alerts. It is ideal for residents in Bradenton assisted living  because the caregiver can get alerts on things such as unusual activity.

Great Call Responder

Great Call Responder is a wireless mobile device that allows for tracking and protecting the elderly, and it is common in some Bradenton assisted living institutions. It is a joint effort with a five-star urgent response rate and a small GPS-enabled responder attached to either a keychain, backpack, or purse. This device helps you keep in touch with your loved one by sending out alerts to family members and emergency response teams when pressed. Regardless of your situation, you can get immediate assistance in assisted living in Bradenton, Florida if you have this device.

Bradenton assisted living is even easier with devices like these that make communication between caregivers, family members, and the senior community such a breeze. These devices and apps utilize technology to create a perfect environment for seniors to relax and have peace of mind while receiving the necessary attention.

For older adults living in assisted living facilities in Bradenton, Florida, music has the potential to make a comfortable situation even more inviting. Senior citizens receiving assisted living services can gain a variety of mental and emotional benefits from listening to music. Here is a closer look at the importance of music to residents of assisted living in Bradenton, Florida.

The Transformational Power of Music

Music has the power to transform a negative situation into one that’s brighter, more manageable, and more enjoyable. Assisted living facilities such as those in Bradenton are designed so that support staff can work directly with residents who might benefit from the healing power of music. When people hear songs they like, their brain recognizes the tones in the music as those that are enjoyable, resulting in the release of chemicals in the brain that makes that person feel better.

Breaking Free from Loneliness

The happiness that comes from listening to music is important for anyone that might be feeling down. Being separated from family and friends might make older adults feel sad. In some facilities, music therapists may even enter the facility, which means that residents can feel even more profound effects of music. Without music, senior citizens may start to worry about a lack of interests or things to do. Along with great amenities and services, music can transform a resident’s entire day.

Bradenton assisted living has plenty of advantages. Residents get access to a wide range of medical services and monitoring. The result is a safer environment for everyone involved. Soft music could be all it takes to help someone calm down and relax after a challenging day. In Bradenton assisted living, we use music to give our residents a better way of life.

Many seniors may not be living the fulfilling retirement life they anticipated. Transitioning to assisted living may provide the ideal solution for multiple reasons. Here are top reasons people are moving to assisted living in Bradenton, Florida!

1. Low-Maintenance Residences

Larger aspirations, such as long-term travel or impromptu road excursions, may be hampered by home obligations. Moving to assisted living facilities in Bradenton can provide you with the low-maintenance, stress-free living you’ve always wanted.

2. Consolidating Expense

Entertainment, utilities, food, and rent can all be packaged as one monthly lease in retirement communities, which can help you save money.

3. Luxurious Living

There are benefits to living in a community that focuses on establishing a happy life. Many retirement communities provide high-end facilities that you would never consider having in your own house. Spas, golf courses, indoor and outdoor pools, walking pathways, and a variety of other activities are available.

4. An Active Social Life

Making new friends is difficult at any age, but it becomes even more difficult in retirement. If you’re looking for a way to fill your time yet still have an active social life, a Bradenton assisted living facility can be the answer. There’s a group for everyone, from happy hours and brunches to fitness and book clubs.

5. Maintaining Your Fitness

Remaining active as you get older might help you keep your independence and avoid falls or injuries. If you struggle with motivation, many retirement homes offer fitness lessons and outside activities such as yoga, swimming, and hiking.

6. Eating Healthily

It’s not always easy to go through the work of preparing a healthy dinner. Opting for memory care in Bradenton can assist you in resuming daily meals that nourish the mind, body, and soul.

7. Educating, Developing, and Traveling

Through scheduled trips and travel, retirement communities may make it easier to get out and find engaging new experiences.

• Excursions to museums, art galleries, and theaters
• Trips to the store
• College courses on national and international travel
• Gardening programs on-site
• Services for personal care

Whether you require assistance with housekeeping or personal hygiene now or in the future, retirement communities assure you that when that time comes, you will be in good hands.

9. Security and Safety

Accidents and falls in the home do happen, and if you live alone, the prospect of not getting the aid you need can be frightening. In a Bradenton assisted living home, you can always count on someone to assist you!

10. Getting Around

Driving can become a chore due to bumper-to-bumper traffic, new routes, and “that one man” constantly in a rush. Residents of Sarasota assisted living homes can take advantage of transportation services to keep active in their communities and beyond.