Making the decision to move into an assisted living community can be big, and seniors and their families shouldn't be pressured to make it quickly if they don't have to. When you have the ability to be leisurely about this change in life, you can consider all the options and make the best possible choice for you or your loved one. By asking and answering — or seeking answers to — the questions below, you can help rule out options and find a location you'll love.
In Matthew 28:16-20, Jesus conveys the great commission to his disciples. He says that they have been given authority to disciple others in the name of Christ, and that he expects them to go out and do so. In fact, he even tells them where they should do so.
Rest. The dictionary defines it as a cessation of work. The Bible says that God will go with us and give us rest (Exodus 33:14), and that if we bring our weariness to Jesus, he will give us rest (Matthew 11:28-30).Clearly, rest can mean a lot of different things.
One of the things you give up when you move into an assisted living community is space. There's no denying that an assisted living apartment is probably smaller than the family home you left (or will leave). There's a reason it's called downsizing. But that's not a bad thing. For many seniors, downsizing is a form of freedom. You keep all the things you need to live an independent, vibrant life, and after a while, you might realize that some of the things from your previous life chapters were acting like weights holding you back.
When someone you love moves into an assisted living community, they may experience a time of transition. While everyone under the Bethesda Senior Living Communities umbrella works to make transitions enjoyable and positive, you can't change the fact that someone is moving from their home and into a new environment. They might have times where they feel lonely, afraid or unsure what to do.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." It's a message that repeats itself throughout Scripture. We're supposed to pray constantly, to join and fellowship with God throughout our day. And yet the hustle and bustle of our lives seems to make this difficult.
Community worship is a part of life at all our Bethesda Senior Living Communities. Seniors of faith residing at these communities can choose to take part in weekly worship opportunities, visits to local churches, devotionals and Bible studies. Many communities also have on-site chaplains to assist with spiritual well-being. As a faith-based organization, we invest in these opportunities because we know there's never a time when Christians are meant to go it alone in this life.
Perhaps it's someone's birthday or you just want to send a care package or gift to let an older adult know you're thinking of them. But what's the right type of gift for someone who has moved into an assisted living community? The right gifts are always those that come from the heart, but there are definitely some things that might be more or less useful to residents in assisted living apartments. Check out our list below of some things you might send or give to show an older adult you're thinking of them.
Gift-giving is a common topic as each year comes to a close. As people prepare to see loved ones or friends throughout the holidays, they often look for something special to give. It's more than a habit ingrained by corporate commercialism and marketing, though, and many seniors likely have fond memories of both giving and receiving presents during this festive season. Still, it's important for people of faith to remember the reason behind the season and why we give gifts to begin with.
Seniors of faith may have experienced one or more spiritual retreats in their lives. These often take place over a couple of days or a week. They bring together people of faith for fellowship, spiritual study, prayer and other activities designed to grow a person's relationship with God. While no one is ever too old to enjoy such a retreat, the expense and physical requirements for traveling to and participating in these activities may be prohibitive for some older adults.
