Magnolia Manor Blog

Dry. Sore. Red. Itchy. Rough. Chapped, even cracked. Did we mention dry? Your hands have become victims of COVID-19 in an entirely unexpected way, thanks to all that extra hand-washing you’re doing. Seniors are more vulnerable to the side-effects of excessive hand washing because skin naturally loses moisture as we age. You’re also more vulnerable if you’re prone to eczema or other forms of dermatitis.

But this is one problem you can easily solve. And when your hands feel better, you may even feel a little bit better about having to stay away from your friends and family, especially the grandkids.

So let’s heal those dry hands.

When you hear the phrase “senior housing,” you get a mental picture of what that might be like. Some conjure up images of the worst nursing home they can imagine and think that’s what senior living is like. But does your impression match up with reality? Many people – including seniors themselves – have never seen a senior living community first hand, so they have only assumptions to go by. All too often, those assumptions are based on myths and misconceptions. The truth about senior housing might surprise you – a lot.

There is no tougher job than serving as someone’s caregiver. And when the person you’re helping is a loved one, your close relationship can make the “job” even more stressful. It’s so hard to see your aging Mom or Dad struggle. And it’s all too easy to feel exhausted, overwhelmed and isolated as you try to help. Yet there are more than 34 million unpaid caregivers in the US responsible for assisting adults 50 or older. Almost 16 million of them care for someone who has Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia.

Catered Living. Just the name sounds inviting, doesn’t it? And it is. You might say it’s a specialty of the house here at Magnolia Manor because we offer this unique twist on Independent Senior Living at two of our campuses, Richmond Hill and St. Simons Island. With Catered Living, you can enjoy all the amenities of Independent Living plus a little more.

There is an unfortunate misconception that as one gets older, the community resources and programs geared toward assisting seniors dwindle. Just the reverse is true! In the latter years of life, there are an increasing number of programs and systems in place dedicated solely to helping improve the quality of seniors’ lives. Not only that, but many exist for the purpose of giving seniors more years of independent living despite chronic health issues, injuries, or other ailments.

Senior living options are much broader and more specialized than they were just a generation ago. Today there are housing choices that cater to active, independent seniors, as well as those who need various types of physical and/or medical assistance. Reflecting that, the terminology of senior living has changed, too. This can make family discussions and exploring your future options more confusing.

Getting assistance with personal care helps fill the gaps for seniors who find they can’t do everything for themselves any more. So does assisted living. So what is the difference between personal care and assisted living? This is a question we hear often at Magnolia Manor, as we talk with seniors and their families. It’s an important one, too, because there are distinct differences between personal care and assisted living.

If you are or know a senior citizen who is either preparing to undergo or recently underwent surgery, you need to consider carefully the rehabilitation programs available to you. Some might question whether senior rehabilitation after surgery is even important, or if general rest and pain medication might suffice. After all, wouldn’t one of the best ways of recovering after surgery simply be returning to one’s normal routine and daily life as soon as possible?

With so much talk about Alzheimer’s disease, it is easy to forget that there are other forms of dementia. Whether you’re getting older yourself, or you care for an aging loved one, it is important to understand the different causes of dementia, and especially the symptoms. The earlier you get medical advice if you suspect a problem, the better the chances there will be help to manage the disease.

Aside from the occasional smoothie or protein shake, adults tend to prefer foods that are more substantial, sinking our teeth into thick steaks, chomping our way through hearty salads, or savoring a favorite crunchy treat for snacks or dessert. As we age, some adults suffer from soft teeth, lack of proper dentures, or swallowing disorders, making it difficult to consume, let alone enjoy, a typical meal.