Activities

A resolve to change

Blogger Kathleen Mears wants you to leap into the new year and suggests ways to set yourself up for success in 2017.  Read More »

Playing piano with Parkinson’s

A man with Parkinson’s disease has started playing piano at the hospital to the delight of patients and surprise of doctors.  Read More »

The challenge of getting around

Navigating nursing homes and Medicaid is never easy, but resident blogger Kathy Mears has had trouble getting around, literally. It took several visits and months to get her joystick adjusted and working properly—and caused an injury in the process. Read More »

Playtime revisited

A Minnesota couple, affectionately known as Grandma Rosie and Grandpa Dave, volunteer as foster grandparents at a local Montessori school. Read More »

Cooking up nostalgia

Grandma’s cooking brings back fond memories for Senior Editor Nicole Stempak who considers the power—and importance—of food traditions. Read More »

Finally, a side of hummus

SNF resident blogger Kathleen Mears loves hummus. Rules prevent residents from keeping refrigerated food, so she’s advocated for activities to serve it for three years. Victory has never tasted so good. Read More »

Tis the season

Help residents get into the spirit this season by enjoying the festivities and remembering what is really important during the holidays.  Read More »

Learning never gets old for Fla. seniors

Residents of three Florida senior communities go back to school under a new program to inspire life-long learning. Read More »

Adapting anticipation for the holidays

Blogger Kathleen Mears fondly remembers Christmases of years gone by and is learning to make new traditions in the nursing home.  Read More »

Where there’s a wool, there’s a way—or hat

A group of resident knitters at a California retirement community are knitting hats for area homeless. Read More »

Carol of the children

First- and second-graders spent a day singing for nursing home residents and spreading Christmas cheer in Illinois.  Read More »

Don’t let Seasonal Affective Disorder make you sad

SNF resident blogger Kathleen Mears reflects on the change of seasons and why she prefers them despite the dark, bitter cold mornings that make her want to go back to sleep.  Read More »

World’s oldest woman celebrates another birthday

Emma Morano, of Italy, celebrated her 117th birthday. She is the oldest person in the world, according to the Guinness World Records.  Read More »

Chinese nursing home offers visitor rewards

A Chinese nursing home has a family rewards program whereby visits from loved ones can be redeemed for goods or services at the home. The facility has awarded 227 awards worth more than 30,000 yuan (about $4,000 USD) since the program began this fall.  Read More »

Shopping on behalf of residents

Resident blogger Kathleen Mears reflects on the challenge of not being able to run to the store spur of the moment—and the added difficulty of asking someone to shop for you.  Read More »

Making friends is child’s play

An Australian kindergarten has arranged play dates for children and residents at a nearby nursing home, many of whom have dementia. Read More »

Gardner in residence

A resident at a Virginia retirement community is putting a lifetime of studies to practice. Read More »

Growing into gray

Blogger Kathleen Mears has given herself freedom to stop coloring her hair and start loving her gray—even if it means showing her age.  Read More »

First love at long last

Two residents at a North Miami Beach nursing home tie the knot, the bride’s first marriage, proving you’re never too old to find love.   Read More »

Trivial pursuit: Seniors join in community trivia

Buzztime Inc. is helping seniors put decades of knowledge to use through its trivia games, as played in popular restaurants and sports bars, to every new HarborChase Senior Living Community.  Read More »

The ‘thankful for’ tree

This holiday season, blogger Kathleen Mears is grateful for the opportunity she and her fellow residents had to give thanks and participate in the celebrations. Read More »

Dementia and kittens

An Arizona memory care facility and animal shelter have partnered to care for orphaned kittens. And yes, there are photos.  Read More »

Residents make calendar to celebrate staying active in life stories

These "calendar girls" (and guys) didn't need to shed any clothing to be the top models of their assisted living community as they turned their annual calendar into a gala event showcasing the vibrancy and resilience of life. Read More »

Atria Senior Living inspires curiosity through journaling

Need a good read? This senior living chain thinks the most interesting story this year just might be your own. Read More »

Saluting service

Special activities for veteran residents can help them combat isolation and cope with memories of the war experience, especially those with post-traumatic stress.  Read More »

Personality and perceptions of aging linked to depression

A new study found that improving self-perceptions related to efficacy and aging in older adults can reduce signs of depression in older adults.  Read More »

A new generation of gamers

The classic arcade game Pac-Man can now be played on the Moff Band bracelet. The Internet of Things startup is targeting seniors who want to improve their health as a key market for its wearable device designed to gamify fitness.  Read More »

Children’s tale takes flight for senior author, illustrator

Octogenarians get in touch with their inner spring chickens for their first juvenile fiction book about the extraordinary adventures of a seemingly-ordinary bird. Read More »

Keep walking, stay mobile

Researchers have found a structured physical activity program reduced the major mobility disability burden for an extended period of time through decreased recovery time and reduced risk of subsequent episodes. Read More »

The care conundrum

Resident blogger Kathy Mears watches how one resident’s changing health condition affects her family. That requires a lot of coordination for staff to communicate and keep everyone updated on an institutional level.  Read More »