Blog

close up view of knees that had a surgery

Is a Skilled Rehab Center the Best Option?

Is it better to recover at home or at a skilled rehab center after an illness, accident, or injury? It all depends on your situation.  If you’re helping a loved one make this decision, read the following story and learn more about your options.  Is Home Care or Short-Term Rehab Better? Joy, whose father had… Read more »

senior woman looking out a window

Holiday Warning Signs that a Senior Needs Assisted Living

Sometimes the warning signs that a senior is struggling are obvious ones, such as frequent falls or a chronic health condition. But many times, the signs are small ones. These are easy for families, especially those that live far away, to overlook until a crisis occurs. Warning Signs a Senior Loved One Needs Help Here are… Read more »

image of voting stickers

How to Vote When Living at an Assisted Living Community

Election Day is Tuesday, November 8, 2022. Voting is a fundamental right of all Americans, therefore, federal laws are in place to ensure everyone has the right to vote regardless of where they live. This means there are accommodations in place to help those living — or temporarily recovering — in assisted living or skilled… Read more »

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Helping a Senior with Medicare Open Enrollment

Every fall we receive questions about Medicare open enrollment from adult children in the area. Because many of them are not yet eligible for Medicare, they need advice on how to help their aging parent navigate through the yearly open enrollment process. What is Medicare Open Enrollment? For those unfamiliar with the open enrollment period,… Read more »

female getting a vaccine from doctor

Flu Shot and Seniors

My 87-year old mother moved in with us this past summer. She is still fairly active and independent but just wasn’t safe on her own any longer. I’m trying to convince her to get a flu shot. Since she had it last year, she doesn’t want to get it again. Mom thinks if she gets… Read more »

Christmas ornaments

Holiday Decorating with Dementia

When a loved one who lives with you has Alzheimer’s disease, the holiday season can present more than a few unique challenges. One of those challenges is decorating. Decking the halls for Christmas or Hanukkah is a tradition many families enjoy doing together every year. The tinsel and twinkle add to the festive nature of… Read more »

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Optalis Healthcare Acquires Vrable Healthcare Centers

Columbus, OH, October 17, 2022, Optalis Healthcare, a leader in senior healthcare providing care in Michigan and central Ohio, has acquired Vrable Healthcare, a family-owned top-quality care provider in Ohio. The official announcement was made in October 2022 in Ohio. The move to acquire Vrable Healthcare first started mid-2022 following the acquisition of The MacIntosh… Read more »

nurse and senior man smiling at each other

Keeping Your Parent in Rehab for the Holidays

My dad is currently a patient at a rehab center. He had a bad fall down some stairs that required extensive surgery. We know he will need to stay in rehab for several more months and likely continue with outpatient therapy. With the holidays coming up, we’d like to bring him home at least for… Read more »

hands holding wooden cutouts of medical equipment and a stick person

Medicare Advantage Plan: How It Works

My husband and I are thinking of switching to a Medicare Advantage Plan. We’ve heard it is a great way to save money, but we are a little confused about a few details. Does signing up mean we are no longer part of Medicare? Can we sign up any time of year we want or… Read more »