Grandparents are the center of the universe. The ultimate in fun, grandparents are the adults who grant wishes, have an abundance of hugs to share, are wise, kind and make the world a better place. Growing up, children cherish the relationship with their grandparents, no matter what they may call them: gramma, pop pop, glam-ma or nonno.  But did you know that Grandparents’ Day falls in September?  This year, we celebrate on September 8th. 

Let’s take a moment to reflect on some of our favorite grandparents in pop culture:

Sophia Petrillo (The Golden Girls):  The beloved actress Estelle Getty brought Sophia to life in such a vibrant, beautiful way.  Sweet and wise-cracking, Sophia always had a witty response to any situation that she encountered! 

Grandma Rosie (The Wedding Singer):  A classic Adam Sandler film gave us the wonderful character Grandma Rosie, portrayed by Ellen Albertini Dow, who was 85 at the time of filming.  This grandmother not only encourages Sandler to pursue Drew Barrymore’s character, but gives singing lessons including her own version of “Rapper’s Delight.” In a twist of irony, Dow was married for 53 years but never had kids so she was not a grandma in real life. 

Earl “Pops” and Ruby Johnson (Black-ish): We are treated to the megawatt talents of Laurence Fishburne and Jenifer Lewis as divorced grandparents who find their way back to each other and marry again in this sitcom that tells the story of three generations of the Johnson family.  

Connie Tucker (Young Sheldon) : Brought to life by the talented Annie Potts, this delightful grandma from the 1980s in Texas is sharp, sassy and will do anything to help her family and her grandkids. 

Grandpa Joe (Willy Wonka the the Chocolate Factory / Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) : Created by Roald Dahl in his book, we’ve been lucky enough to see this iconic patriarch of the family played by both Jack Albertson in the original version of the film and later by David Kelly. There’s no sweeter grandparent than Grandpa Joe! 

Though these grandparents have had an effect on our lives, there’s nothing like the impact that our own grandparents have made. If you are lucky enough to be able to connect with a grandparent, reach out on Grandparents’ Day to share a smile, hug or to talk about your favorite times together. There’s no better gift than that! 

CarePatrol celebrates the power of grandparents in our lives to change the world. It is our honor to help families match their loved ones with senior care solutions tailored to meet their needs.  Peace of mind is priceless. 

• The first Mother’s Day was declared by President Woodrow Wilson in 1914 after he was persuaded by activist Anna Jarvis to create the holiday. He stated that this was an opportunity to “publicly express our love and reverence for the mothers of our country.”  Jarvis started the custom of wearing a carnation to honor mothers and designating white carnations to signify a mother who has passed away. 
• On Mother’s Day, more phone calls are made than any other day of the year! Phone calls see a rise of 37% on this special day as people take the opportunity to call their moms.  
• For florists, this holiday is incredibly important. Mother’s Day accounts for twenty five percent of flower sales for the entire year, according to the Society of American Florists. 
• According to Pew Research, the average age for a first time mom in the United States is now 27 years old. As women are delaying motherhood, the average age has steadily risen over the last decade.  
• We love to spoil our moms! In 2023, over $35 billion was spent on Mother’s Day.  According to the National Retail Federation, shoppers spent on average $274 on gifts to celebrate their mothers. And Mother’s Day cards are essential, with nearly 152 million sent out every year! 
• Mother’s Day is a global celebration. Although the holidays do not all fall on the same day across the world, families in Canada, Costa Rica, Samoa, Great Britain, Australia, Georgia and Thailand also have a designated day to focus on mom! 

CarePatrol has always championed the power and love of families. When it comes to senior care solutions, we treat your loved ones like family. For over 30 years, we’ve been matching loved ones to the best care opportunities based on desires, location, health needs and budget. By vetting communities personally, we have a unique understanding of care solutions and can help give your family peace of mind. How can we help you today? 

The basis of occupational therapy is to promote well-being, health and participation by enabling people to engage in tasks of daily living. By enabling people to resume the activities that are important to them, including taking care of themselves and their family, working, going to school and much more, they can regain their independence and confidence. 

Some of the expertise that occupational therapists can bring to the lives of their clients include assisting with activities and recommendations for:

• Planning of daily activities 
• Execution of everyday tasks like bathing, eating and dressing
• Returning to work, school and hobbies 
• Adaptive equipment like shower chairs 
• Techniques to assist in memory, executive functioning and concentration 
• Falls prevention and home safety 

Occupational therapists have the unique ability to provide their services anywhere including at home, in communities, schools and in healthcare settings like outpatient clinics and primary care offices. Their impact goes beyond helping clients one on one by consulting in the areas of technology, health information, human centered design, education, health promotion programs and much more.  

At CarePatrol, we honor the commitment and dedication of occupational therapists each and every day. Helping older adults to live their best lives is a shared priority! 

September 10-16 is National Assisted Living Week, the perfect time to celebrate care and recognize the talents and dedication of the staff and volunteers who keep residents thriving, safe and healthy.  This year the theme selected by the National Center for Assisted Living or NCAL is “Season of Reflection.”

National Assisted Living Week was first celebrated in 1995 and was established by NCAL.  As the seasons change and we head into fall, it is also a great opportunity to reflect on the amazing professionals who inspire us with their determination and hard work to help residents live their best lives.

We continue to be inspired by the professionalism and care provided to residents by the staff and volunteers of communities, especially the core services that include:

• Medication management or assistance
• Exercise, health and wellness programs
• Meals and dining services
• Personal care services such as Activities of Daily Living
• Transportation arrangements
• Maintenance and housekeeping

Thank you for helping keep residents safe and engaged and for experiencing life to the fullest!

When searching for senior care options, CarePatrol should be the first call you make.  We have been giving families peace of mind for three decades. By asking the right questions, we can match your loved one with a community of care that is perfect for their unique needs. But our support doesn’t end there.

Your CarePatrol local senior care advisor will help arrange for tours of the communities on your shortlist, accompany you to visit the sites, and help you make this very important decision. We will even help make the move-in day less stressful.  Best of all, our services are at no cost to you and your family.  Experience the CarePatrol difference for yourself.

If you are part of this iconic group, you are in good company.  According to Statista, there are more than 71 million baby boomers in the United States!  At this point in time, 10,000 baby boomers turn 65 every day. As the United States Census Bureau reports, by 2030, all baby boomers will be 65 or older.

As young adults in the sixties, baby boomers were instrumental in defining the era of social change and activism.  By standing up for causes that they believed in, baby boomers showed generations to come how to peacefully protest and raise awareness for societal and political causes.

To honor Baby Boomers Recognition Day, which falls on August 17th, let’s explore some facts about this powerful group.

• 10,000 baby boomers will reach the age of retirement each day
• 90% of baby boomers are married
• 82% of baby boomers have embraced social media
• 59% of baby boomers support their children financially
• The buying power of baby boomers is nearly $2.6 trillion
• 41 million baby boomers are working
• 18% of baby boomers purchase their groceries online

CarePatrol understands the senior care continuum.  As baby boomers begin to seek out senior living options for the future, we are honored to help them find the right communities. We ask the right questions to match you with the community that honors your wishes and budget. Reach out today and start your next great adventure.

Independent living, assisted living, and memory care communities are already redefining care to suit the evolving needs of this generation. From integrating artificial intelligence to shifting to a person-centered model of care to adding more luxurious amenities, senior living options aren’t what they used to be. In fact, they’re much more robust, vibrant, and unique. Let’s take a look at how baby boomers are leading the transformation in senior care.

5 Ways Senior Care is Evolving to Meet Modern Needs

Active & Engaged Lifestyles

As a generation, baby boomers have always pursued activity and fulfillment in their lives. As they reach retirement age, this desire for meaning and purpose certainly doesn’t go away. Daily engagement in meaningful activities is important for people at any stage of life—and it’s crucial for older adults.

Studies show that social activities, participation in hobbies, and lifelong learning can reduce a person’s risk of developing health issues like heart disease, dementia, and stroke. Engaging activities can also help people live longer, happier lives.

Today’s senior living communities are more focused than ever on providing opportunities for engagement. In doing so, they are helping residents combat some of the major health challenges that their generation faces. With 52% of adults aged 65-74 now dealing with multiple chronic conditions, senior living communities are transforming their offerings to focus on social, physical, and mental well-being.

How Are Senior Living Communities Promoting Engagement?

• Wellness programs: Structured, planned, and focused activities that provide multiple opportunities for people to embrace wellness as part of their everyday lives.
• Social calendars: Creating environments for seniors to meet new friends, engage in conversation, or even volunteer in their community.
• Lifelong learning opportunities: Classes on a variety of subjects, scheduled trips to local points of interest, and even skill-building workshops that keep the mind active and the spark of curiosity alive.

Person-Centered Care

Baby boomers both want and need personalized and person-centered care. Person-centered care has many definitions, but at its core, it means an approach to health that focuses on the individual, not on the medical condition. It involves doctors and other caregivers working together to improve a person’s overall wellness, collaborating and listening with compassion.

This personalized approach to care has led to improved outcomes for people of all ages. It’s especially important for seniors, as it can foster a sense of dignity, independence, and respect in all aspects of their care.

Senior care facilities are moving away from a one-size-fits-all approach and instead focusing on individual needs, interests, and preferences.

What Does Person-Centered Care Look Like in Senior Living?

• Resident councils: Independent groups of community residents meet regularly to discuss their concerns, plan activities that are important to them, and share feedback with the administration.
• Individualized care plans: Each resident receives care according to their individual needs and preferences to improve their quality of life.
• Family involvement in decision-making: For older adults with complex needs, involving family members in care decisions can ensure their preferences are honored and improve outcomes.

Technology Integration

It’s high time we recognized that baby boomers are tech-savvy—and they expect technology to be integrated into their senior care experience. Thankfully, independent living, assisted living, and memory care communities across the country are already using technology to improve safety, communication, and access to care services.

From remote patient monitoring services to smart home integrations, various technologies and AI tools for seniors are transforming the senior care landscape. That means more access to health data, more ways to communicate, and more tools for preventing issues like missed medications and falls.

Innovative Community Designs

To meet these ever-evolving demands, the very design of senior living communities needs to be reimagined. That’s why today’s senior care providers are creating innovative communities that offer a wide range of amenities, such as fitness centers, spas, cultural activities, and intergenerational programs.

Variety is the spice of life, and a community’s architectural layout can be designed to support that variety. These days, designers aren’t creating one room for every activity or amenity. Instead, you’ll see more open floor plans and state-of-the-art fitness facilities that encourage movement, social interaction, and safe exploration of surroundings.

Many of today’s senior living communities are designed to feel more like an all-inclusive resort, fitted with various amenities, robust social programs, and all the appropriate medical care tools they need.

Emotional & Mental Health Support

One of the major reasons that seniors enter care communities is to get assistance with personal care or managing chronic health conditions. However, more and more, baby boomers are also prioritizing their mental health. For some, that means moving to an independent living community to reduce the stress of homeownership and embrace an active social lifestyle. For others, that means choosing a memory care facility that specializes in improving quality of life for those with dementia.

A person-centered approach can’t be accomplished without a focus on mental well-being. Today’s senior care communities acknowledge and embrace this, offering more counseling, therapy, and mindfulness programs to help seniors achieve and maintain a positive outlook on life.

Find Your Perfect Senior Care Solution

If you or a loved one are ready to explore senior care solutions, the process can feel overwhelming. For many older adults and their families who are reaching this stage, finding care is an entirely new experience that will shape their future happiness and well-being. Thankfully, CarePatrol has a trusted senior care advisor in your area, ready to help at no cost to you.

CarePatrol’s senior care advisors are local experts who have thoroughly vetted the senior living options in their areas. They can provide personalized recommendations for communities that will fit your needs, and they’ll be with you every step of the way as you explore your options.

Meet Your Local Senior Care Advisor at CarePatrol

With over 170 locations throughout the U.S., CarePatrol has a senior Care advisor near you! Our services are available at no cost to families seeking care for any level of need, from light assistance to memory care for dementia and beyond. Learn more about how we help and find your local advisor today!

Let’s take a look at how AI is paving the way for brighter futures as we learn what it looks like to age in modern times.

5 Ways Artificial Intelligence Will Transform Senior Living for the Better

Wearable Technology Allows for Earlier Health Interventions

The extent of wearable technology used to be a pendant worn around the neck, which can be pushed to call a caregiver in case of an emergency. While there are still applications for these devices, smartwatches are rapidly going above and beyond what analog call buttons have done.

Popular consumer technology options like Apple Watch and Fitbit offer stylish yet effective health management tools for seniors. AI grants these devices excellent health-tracking abilities that senior care communities can use to monitor and manage chronic conditions, learning baselines and examining patterns over time.

When vital signs change—often before visible symptoms arise—caregivers can take actionable steps earlier, improving long-term outcomes.

AI Tools Offer Caregivers a Helping Hand in Fall Detection & Prevention

About 36 million older adults fall each year, according to the CDC, accounting for millions of ER visits. When these falls are not responded to quickly or properly, serious injury and even death can result. Many smartwatches, including the Apple Watch 5, now come with built-in fall detection mechanisms. Long-term care (LTC) facilities are also incorporating their own robust, non-intrusive sensor technologies to detect and prevent falls.

We’re already seeing real-time fall detection sensors helping care communities respond to incidents faster. Administrators can even review data to learn what caused a fall and make informed changes to their facility’s safety and design.

As machine learning improves, we may eventually see high-tech systems designed to monitor changes in balance and gait, which could determine if a person is likely to fall. This could prompt caregivers to intervene proactively, preventing injuries before they ever happen.

Voice Assistants Help Seniors Find Their Voice

Believe it or not, adults 65 and older are one of the fastest-growing segments of voice-assisted technology users. From voice reminders programmed into pill dispensers to personalized calendar integration, AI technology is making it easier than ever to stay connected to the larger world.

Using voice commands, seniors can do more than simply get medication reminders. For example, they can:

• Ask the assistant to call their family members for a video chat
• Play their favorite music or get new recommendations
• Find nearby local activities to enjoy
• Get news updates tailored to their preferences and interests
• Get step-by-step instructions for activities they want to learn
• Much more!

Smart Devices Keep Family Members Engaged & Connected

Peace of mind is a major component of choosing the right senior living option for your family member. Thankfully, AI care services will make it easier than ever for you to stay connected with your loved one. This is especially important for families who don’t live close enough to the community to visit on a frequent basis.

AI-powered systems can send relevant updates right to your phone and allow you to communicate directly with care teams, even at a distance.

Robust Data Systems Improve Care Quality Across the Board

One of the most promising aspects of AI in assisted living and independent living communities is the way it will improve the efficiency of care. AI can’t and won’t replace human interaction. Instead, it will empower caregivers with stronger tools, allowing them to focus on creating more valuable touchpoints with the residents in their care.

More health information and incident reporting processes are moving from paper logs to systems with machine learning powers. With this change, administrators will gain crucial insight into care improvements based on real-time facts and patterns. Staff will also benefit from using AI to:

• File paperwork
• Dictate notes with voice recognition technology
• Gather and review health data automatically
• Streamline patient & family member communications

Ultimately, these improvements in efficiency will give staff more time to focus on the person in their care. This is expected to decrease burnout, improve retention, and holistically strengthen the quality of care older people receive.

CarePatrol Helps Families Find Bright Futures

At CarePatrol, our senior care advisors are excited about the possibilities that AI brings to senior care solutions. For over 30 years, we’ve been dedicated to helping families and their loved ones find the senior living option that meets their needs.

We’re already seeing the impact that these technologies can make on residents’ well-being. And because we only recommend communities that we have vetted and can provide the level of care required for your individual needs, our teams are ready to help you find the perfect senior care solution for your loved one.

If you’re seeking care for yourself or a loved one, learn more about our services and how we can help your family today!

CarePatrol: Explore Pre-Screened Senior Living Communities in Your Area

CarePatrol is a national network of local senior care experts serving communities across the U.S. Our senior care advisors have vetted thousands of assisted living, independent living, and memory care facilities, and they offer highly personalized recommendations and resources at no cost to you. If you’re seeking senior care solutions, contact your local CarePatrol today for free assistance!

*In Icelandic, the word is pabbi. In Estonian, it is isa. In Hawaiian, you would say e pāpā.  In Ireland, he is known as daid.  Here in the United States, we call him dad! 

*According to the U.S. Census Bureau, of the 35 million fathers who have kids under 18, 1.7 million are single dads.  

*Approximately only half of the Father’s Day cards that are purchased are actually given to dads.  About 15% of these are purchased for husbands, grandfathers, brothers, uncles and sons. 

*Neckties still rank as the most popular of all Father’s Day presents. 

*The first Father’s Day was celebrated on June 19th, 1910 and it originated in the United States.

*According to Yahoo Finance, the percentage of dads who stay at home to raise their kids doubled from Generation X to millennials. 

*Of the 72 million dads who reside in the United States, 29 million of them are also grandfathers. 

Happy Father’s Day from your local Senior Care Advisors at CarePatrol.  We’re here to help support dad with senior care solutions and give you peace of mind in the process.  Reach out to learn more today and treat dad like royalty.

June is Pride Month, the opportunity for you to find ways to become an ally to the LGBTQ+ community.  This is the perfect time to show support, start a dialogue with friends and family of all generations and raise awareness of inclusivity for all.

Do you know the history of Pride Month?  It is held in June to remember the Stonewall riots, which took place in June of 1969.  Located in New York City’s Greenwich Village, the Stonewall Inn, a gay club, was raided by police, leading bar staff, neighbors and patrons to rise up and protest for six days.  These protests were a call for places where members of the LGBTQ+ could be open about who they are without the fear of being arrested for that same reason.  In the years since, it has grown to become Gay Pride Week and Pride Month, with many marches and parades held across the planet.  The New York Pride March is one of the largest and most widely attended in the world.

According to the polling experts at Gallup, although LGBT identification is up in general from 5.6% in 2020, the percentage of baby boomers and Generation X adults who identify as LGBTQ has remained steady since the organization started measuring identification in 2012. As the population ages, it is important to continue to ensure that our loved ones know that they are being championed so they can be their true selves.

How can you become an ally and work to showcase equality in all forms privately and publicly?
By keeping an open mind and heart, asking questions and truly listening to the answers, you are on your way to a better understanding of the unique needs,  struggles and triumphs of your loved one. Starting a conversation is the perfect way to begin.  Another way is to reject anti-LGBTQ sentiments or jokes in your presence.  These simple steps can create a domino effect, making the world around you more empathetic and inclusive.

CarePatrol is proud to be an ally for the families we serve.  Finding the right senior care solutions encompasses many factors including location, comfort, budget, medical needs and interests.  It is our passion to match seniors to the right communities for them and to make the process less stressful by accompanying seniors and families on tours.  We are your partner in senior care solutions.

This anniversary is very special to us.  It signifies three decades of leading the charge, by vetting local resources, pre-screening communities and matching seniors to options that meet their individual needs and preferences.  We are honored to have been a trusted resource for 30 years, giving peace of mind to aging adults and their families.

CarePatrol was founded in 1993 by a medical social worker who observed the trauma of a family whose loved one moved into the wrong type of community.  Our mission has always been to give families a less stressful and simplified way to find senior care options.

As a pioneer of senior care advisory services, CarePatrol is the nation’s largest and most trusted organization of its kind in senior care.  We have changed the way families find assisted living, independent living, memory care, in-home care options, and more. All of this is available at no cost to seniors and their families.

With over 170 CarePatrol locations nationwide and more than 20,000 vetted communities, we are honored to be a significant resource to aging adults and their families.  The need for senior care options can arise quickly and with it, a sense of uncertainty.  To help families through a stressful time in their lives is a responsibility that we take seriously and we are humbled by the opportunity to guide loved ones in this process.

Thank you for allowing us to be your partner in care for 30 years.  Here’s to the next 30!

Nursing is the largest healthcare profession in the United States, with an impressive 4.2 million registered nurses employed across the country. Many times, the first and last person a patient sees during a hospital stay is a nurse.  There aren’t enough ways to say thank you.

According to the American Nurses Association, each year National Nurses Week starts on May 6th and wraps up on May 12th, which is also the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing.   The heart of the medical profession, nurses are instrumental in coordinating and providing patient care, educating the public about health conditions and giving empathetic and emotional support for patients and their loved ones.  An average day for a nurse can include administering medication, recording detailed medical history for patients, conducting medical examinations, monitoring heart rate, blood pressure and other vitals, performing diagnostic testing, drawing blood and admitting or discharging patients in accordance with physician orders.

Social workers are instruments of change in the world, helping to improve one life at a time. Their incredible dedication helps people at different stages of life through their work in hospitals, schools, mental health practices, the criminal justice system, corporations, mental health practices, and in government. And this only skims the surface!

Their dedication to social justice is unsurpassed. With a passion to bring equity for all, social workers effectively change laws, systems, and policies by advocating for people, ensuring that everyone receives services that are needed. They tirelessly raise public awareness to change the status quo.

Social workers make an impact on an individual level, as well, by helping people to overcome obstacles like affordable housing, food insecurity, and more. With the dramatic growth in adults who are turning 65 years old, social workers are an important resource for seniors, their families, and caregivers. Meeting the needs of a diverse older population, social workers are an integral part of aging. We take a moment to honor social workers and the incredible, life-changing work they do. Thank a social worker today!

CarePatrol has a unique and strong connection to the field of social work. Chuck Bongiovanni, a medical social worker, founded CarePatrol in 1993 after he observed the trauma of a family whose loved one was placed in the wrong type of facility. He wanted to ensure older adults had advocacy and had the right senior care options presented to them. CarePatrol became the pioneer organization of the now-thriving senior placement field.