Jack’s November News

In your younger years, how did you get the news?  Commonly, a local, weekly paper provided what’s happening in both the past and the present.  Most people did not have a radio until the 1930’s, if they could afford one.   The radio became very important for news in the 1940’s during WWII.  Families would crowd around the radio to hear

How to Celebrate the Holidays in Assisted Living

Transitioning to life at an assisted living facility can be a significant challenge, especially during the holidays. For many families, holiday celebrations are among the most important annual traditions, and residents can be reluctant to move those celebrations into a new and unfamiliar place.   Luckily, there are several ways to spruce up your celebrations to help your loved one in

Preparing for Flu Season: Promoting Senior Health in Care Facilities

A female nurse in blue scrubs checks the pulse of an elderly man with a stethoscope.

  Flu season is just around the corner, and while it’s important for everyone to take precautions to avoid getting sick, it is especially important for seniors. The CDC estimates that somewhere between 50% and 70% of all influenza-related hospitalizations are among those aged 65 and over. Taking adequate steps to protect at-risk seniors can not only prevent illness—it can

Grandpas

Did you have grandpas full of wisdom?  Were they looked upon as knowledgeable, as a person who worked hard throughout their life?  Were they happy to see you when you visited, or did they spend their last years living with their family? I have several pictures on my bedroom wall that I look at every day.  One large picture is

Day of a Teacher October 2023

Let’s look at a day with a teacher.  We are near the end of September and by now teachers are acquainted with their class of students, and more familiar in the elementary with hopefully about 25 students in a classroom.  Secondary, teachers are meeting a new class each hour, the number multiplies by at least 5. The foregoing probably describes

Support Groups

Support groups of various varieties have been around for a number of years.  These groups were started to meet the needs of people to give one another helping hand to both parties – those helping and those in need of help. A support group available to meet the needs locally is a Dementia Caregiver Group.  This group meets the 4th

Jack’s Column

By the end of the month most schools will be in session and family life will change.  The activity of the family will be centered around school.  As we enter another year, our young people are faced with many social problems which distract from learning.  One of the many technical developments that have distracted our present-day students is the cell

Jack’s Column

“The Land of 10,000 Lakes” is Minnesota’s name.  Sounds like a lot of water but we have rivers too and many small streams.  Many of our cities started on a lake or river.  In fact, the main mode of transportation was either on foot or canoe before horses were introduced. Early explorers were eager to find a source of the

The Role of Social Activities in a Senior Living Community

Senior women having fun together, branded with Good Shepherd logo

As we get older and begin the later stages of life, there is a lot to consider regarding independence. Health conditions or simply age may impact a person’s ability to live alone and care for themselves effectively. Some families may have a live-in nurse or caretaker, have another member of the family move in to assist with care, or transition

Talking to Your Loved One About Assisted Living With Compassion

Assisted living staff handing water to aging woman

When it comes to having conversations about long-term care needs with your aging parents, addressing the topic sooner rather than later is best. While this can be a difficult and complex conversation, discussing the possibility of moving into assisted living can help ensure your loved one receives the care they need to live a happy, healthy life.  The experts at