Making friends can be difficult at any stage of life, but as we get older responsibilities pile on, our routines and beliefs get more ingrained, and it can become even harder to make friends. But that doesn’t mean it’s not possible. In fact, retirement residences are one of the best places to foster new friendships. Yes, the transition from the family home to start over in a new place is daunting, but it’s also the beginning of an exciting new chapter with endless opportunities to make meaningful connections for your overall mind-body-spirit wellbeing.

We’ve rounded up a few of our favourite tips for seniors to make friends and help you navigate these new halls. Try one, or all, and just wait: Your calendar will be filled up before you know it!

1. We don’t serve chef-inspired meals just for their culinary excellence! Meals at Verve Senior Living are meant to be shared. Mealtime is the perfect time to sit down next to someone new, or that you’ve always wanted to connect with, and dig in—to the food and conversation. Bonus: a built-in conversation starter is on the table right in front of you.

2. Attend our monthly socials and Life Enrichment programs! With “social” built right into the name, these Verve Senior Living-led activities are designed to break the ice and connect our residents. Not only will they boost your physical and mental health, but the social connections you make will also lift your spirit. And the best part of attending socials and taking part in activities is, you’ll make friends with similar interests because you’re already doing something you love. Attending regularly will also help you feel more comfortable so that you come to know what to expect. That way, even if you don’t make a connection the first time, there’s always a next time!

3. Practice your intra-personal skills: Smile & Listen! Practicing a warm and welcoming demeanor will not only attract positive vibes back to you, but it’ll also help you feel more positive on the inside. Listening by showing active interest in what others are saying will encourage them to open up and help strengthen genuine bonds built on openness and empathy.

4. Make the first move. We know, that sounds terrifying! But guaranteed the other person is feeling just as nervous as you are. Even if it doesn’t amount to a continued friendship, regularly having the courage to talk to people you don’t know will strengthen that muscle and it’ll just keep getting easier!

5. Patience is key with anything in life. Give yourself grace if you’re not the life of the party or didn’t gather enough courage to say “hello” the first time. Routinely giving it a go will help you build confidence through practice.

The benefits of socializing impact your overall health; anything that’s endorphin boosting will help you feel energized and more inclined to make healthy choices from what you eat to how you choose to spend your time. Socializing can therefore boost the immune system, lower blood pressure, and help stave off feelings of depression—even help prevent dementia! Check out this “Better habits, better brain health” article from Harvard Health Publishing for a more in-depth look at that.

You can also always check in with your Life Enrichment manager at your Verve Senior Living residence for ideas on how to boost your social calendar.

Download and share this recipe:

Strawberry Shortcake with White Chocolate Scones

To view more Living Loving Local recipes, click here!

We do it naturally: Plan for that next big vacation. Get excited for a special occasion or holiday. Put all our energy into our next meeting with friends. But what about the everyday? Our routines that carry us through and have the ability to infuse the moments in between the big events with joy. They don’t all have to bring you immense happiness to evoke satisfaction and contentment—the joy of simply being alive and all that it encompasses can be far more impactful, sometimes.

1.    Be Present.

Being present is beyond being physically in a space. It’s about your mind and senses feeling engaged with the moment. Instead of texting—call your friend or family member; it’ll allow you to be 100% engaged with the conversation instead of getting it in while doing another task. Prepare dinner from scratch rather than throwing a frozen make-ahead into the microwave. Mixing ingredients together enforces mindfulness and has the added benefit of being healthier for you than what comes from the grocery store freezer section!

2.    An Attitude of Gratitude.

Channeling all those good vibes can improve your overall health, from strengthening your immune system to reducing stress levels for better sleep, which reduces irritability and improves your capacity for patience and acceptance; it’s a cyclical effect that keeps on giving! Thank someone for something routine they do for you, compliment a stranger, notice something in nature—all of these things can add up! See our tips for practicing daily gratitude for the benefit of health and wellbeing.

3.    Greet your day a little earlier.

Whether it’s 15 minutes or a half-hour, resist hitting snooze and fight the initial grogginess to greet the day with calm and time to savor that morning cup of coffee before your regular routine starts. Stretch, journal, meditate— whatever feels good. This time is your time, and will help immensely with getting you in the right headspace before anyone has a chance to affect your mood.

4.    Reconnect with your childhood.

You don’t have to break out the Lego for this one. What we mean is, try to take a simplified, carefree approach to tasks. Have to weed the garden? Don’t be afraid to get a little dirty! Feel the ground; really be present in the task. Approaching tasks and situations with curiosity and openness can be a solid step towards discovering new favourite hobbies, making friends, and enjoying a whole new world.

5.    Don’t put off to later what you really want to do now.

Sure, the To Do list is a mile long, but taking ten minutes to sit down with a book—or whatever small activity that brings you joy—provides a mindful rest that brings you into the moment and can even provide clarity for when you move into your next pursuit.

It all sounds simple enough, but can be much more difficult when put into practice. A lifetime of rushing and deadlines and time obsession is hard to shake. A tool that can help with that is meditation. Just five minutes a day can go a long way!

Keep in mind: Just because things don’t always turn out the way we planned, doesn’t mean they don’t have their own benefits. Pause to reflect (there’s that whole “Being Present” thing again!) and you might just discover a wonderful outcome you never even expected.

Slow down, enjoy each part of your day for what it is, rather than always looking ahead to the next thing. Simply living is a joy and a privilege.

Explore all of the Life Enrichment possibilities at Verve Senior Living to help inspire your day.

Spring is perennially the time to clean up and clean out. But how do you decide what to keep and what to get rid of? Especially when a lot of the things you own feel attached to a walk down memory lane. Think of spring cleaning as your chance to keep your home healthy, just as you would the body that houses you. Throw open those windows, break out the duster, and get ready to refresh. But first: Make yourself a checklist!

The Spring Cleaning Checklist

Step #1 in the process should be organizing your thoughts on paper. What are big projects and little tasks around the house that you want to accomplish? Sort them by room or type, whatever works best for your process. Plus, nothing beats the satisfaction of ticking something off the list upon completion! We like this checklist from Molly Maid that breaks down the To Do’s room-by-room.

Reorganize before you refresh

Eliminating clutter through “yes”, “no” and “maybe” piles, then reorganizing what’s left into its own “home within your home” can be a very powerful tool in your spring cleaning arsenal. It’ll give you a good visual of what you use, and what could go be donated. After all, “A place for everything, everything in its place,” as Mr. Franklin once said.

 Take it easy!

Yes, we know it can be tempting to tackle everything at once—and on the flip side, get overwhelmed by everything that needs to get done. Take a moment to understand that it will all get done, pick one thing on the list, and go for it. Work in small increments so that you don’t lose steam (or muscle power!) and appreciate what you have accomplished rather than focusing on what still needs to get done.

Ask for help

This can be the most difficult thing to do for some people! But let’s face it, aging means the body sometimes can’t handle as much as it used to. Leave the heavy lifting to someone else, like a friend or family member. Or hire a professional to help with the cleaning and moving of furniture. Your safety and mobility are most important—the dust bunnies can wait.

Those overlooked chores

Sure, you’ve done the drapes and vacuumed behind the couch cushions, but have you:

• Weeded out all the expired medications and ancient products from your medicine in a safe manner?
• Same goes for your fridge, freezer, and pantry—what’s well past its due date? No one likes throwing out food, but if it’s bad, it’s time to move on.
• Replace all dead batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors!

Think you could use a little help with your spring cleaning? Ask friends or on your local online or community center message boards for reviews on local cleaners. Always make sure to vet any person coming into your home!

Happy cleaning!

Change is hard, especially in your golden years! You’ve become accustomed to how things are; your home, routines, and the people in them. Moving into a retirement community will bring with it a slew of changes to everything from your environment to how you operate in it.

By adopting a positive mindset and embracing your move with a few simple steps, you’ll feel settled in your new retirement community in no time and able to make the most of your new retirement freedom!

1.     Try something new!

From the chef-inspired dining menu at Verve to our extensive Life Enrichment programs and best-in-class amenities, sample one of our lovingly prepared and nutritious meals, try a new fitness class, or attend one of the many staff-hosted socials. By going just a little outside your comfort zone, you might just discover a new favourite dish or make a new friend — and you’ll get to know your community even better, along the way!

2.    Make your new suite your own

You may have downsized, but that doesn’t mean your new place can’t feel as welcoming and familiar as home. Nobody likes sitting amongst boxes; it’s uncomfortable and claustrophobic! By unpacking and decorating as quickly as possible, you’ll start to settle in sooner, and bonus, you’ll have more time to explore your new retirement community.

3.     Invite your loved ones to visit your new retirement community

Whether you lived with family before or you’re simply moving from your old place into a new community, introducing your new home to family and friends is a great way to take ownership of your new place and feel like it’s yours. Showing them around will help you familiarize yourself with your new community as well.

4.    Get to know the retirement residence team members

Aside from getting to know your new neighbours — think of them as built-in friends to attend activities and mealtimes with! Getting to know the team members is just as important. We are here to support you on your retirement journey; getting to know you, your likes, and your dislikes, will help us do that so we can anticipate your needs.

5.    Explore the neighbourhood

From the nearest coffee shop to parks, museums, and shopping; discovering what’s outside your new front door can help you feel more acclimatized. Especially if you’ve moved communities, this is a great way to get a sense of your surroundings to feel settled. Not sure where to get started? Ask one of our friendly Verve team members for recommendations and assistance on how to get around and where the best spots are.

Retirement is Your Time to Be On Your Own Terms

Have questions about your new Verve community? Talk to your residence’s Community Relations Manager, we’re always here to support you on your journey in any way we can.

Interested in being part of the Verve community? We would love to hear from you! Contact us today.

As we age, it becomes easier to slip into comfortable habits, some that may not be healthy for us — like binge-watching our favourite shows for hours. While watching TV is great entertainment, spending hours in front of the television with little other stimulation isn’t good for the body, mind, nor spirit.

Tips to motivate seniors to stay active

 Seniors, especially those with cognitive decline and impaired mobility, might be especially reticent to start exercise, try something new, or simply be shy. But regular mental and physical stimulation — staying active — can have so many great benefits, from helping to prevent cognitive decline to improving health, socialization, and overall mood.

Here are a few tips to motivate seniors to stay active:

• Make it fun, make it interesting!
• Incorporate movement into everyday activities
• Make it social
• Track exercise…and reward progress!

 Activities that are therapeutic to seniors

• Art therapy! Discover how being creative can help memory and
• Nostalgic tunes are a great way to boost memory and alleviate
• Walking. Simply getting outdoors for a 30-minute walk every day can boost endorphins through low-impact physical exercise and the mental stimulation of the outdoors.
• Animal therapy. Love, socialization and physical activity are all benefits to seniors owning pets.

Activities to keep the mind active 

• Brain games. Load up your senior loved one with crossword puzzles, word searches, colouring books, and sudoku. Not only do these boost cognitive function, but they can also boost confidence.
• Book club. Starting a book club with friends is a great way to engage both the mind and spirit and stay socially active.
• Regular visits with family and friends! From a regular phone call to get- togethers that may include getting outdoors for a walk, this is one of the best ways to keep older adults engaged with life and motivated to stay

Activities for seniors with limited mobility

 Whether it’s a loss of mobility due to a fall or stroke, the onset of arthritis, or another affliction, loss of physical ability can cause depression. Staying active in the body and mind is especially crucial for these seniors to stay engaged with the world around them and boost their mood.

From art therapy to brain games, any of the above activities are excellent to explore. Other ideas include:

• Cooking & baking
• Planter box gardening
• Knitting & crochet
• Learning a new language
• Playing a musical instrument
• Spa day & self-care

At the end of the day…

When trying to keep a senior loved one active, keep their individual needs and unique interests and capabilities in mind. The more an activity is in tune with their personality, the better their chance for success!

Explore the many Life Enrichment opportunities available at Verve.

Expressive art therapy is based on the idea that the “creative” right side of our brain is put to work, processes the information, and then sends those outcomes to the “academic” left side of our brain which deals with logic, language, writing and memory. Thus, expressive art therapy benefits memory care patients, including those living with the effects of Alzheimer’s and dementia in numerous ways.

Read more on the blog here!

Please click on this link to view our May 2022 Newsletter.

According to the World Health Organization, 55 million people worldwide have dementia, with numbers expected to rise to a staggering 139 million in 2050.

Alzheimer’s in particular is the most common cause of dementia, which occurs as a progressive neurologic disorder that causes the brain to shrink and brain cells to die, resulting in declined cognitive, behavioral, and social skills.

What Causes Alzheimer’s Disease?

Several factors, including age-related complex changes in the brain, genetic, environmental toxins, head injury, low education level, and even lifestyle can all influence your risk level for Alzheimer’s. If you tend to worry a lot, that may play into your risk for Alzheimer’s, as chronic stress has been linked to dementia symptoms, affecting the brain’s immune system.

“What we know is that chronic stress does affect many biological pathways within our body. There is an intimate interplay between exposure to chronic stress and pathways influencing the body’s reaction to such stress,” says David Groth, PhD, a senior author of the study and an associate professor at Curtin University in Perth, Australia.

“Genetic variations within these pathways can influence the way the brain’s immune system behaves, leading to a dysfunctional response. In the brain, this leads to chronic disruption of normal brain processes, increasing the risk of subsequent neurodegeneration and ultimately dementia,” he adds.

What are the 4 A’s of Alzheimer’s? 

1. Amnesia, or memory loss, is the most common sign of Alzheimer’s.
2. Aphasia is the loss of ability to express or understand speech.
3. Apraxia begins with the loss of voluntary motor skills and results in the body’s full shut-down.
4. Agnosia is the disabling of the five senses.

The 4 Stages of Alzheimer’s

It’s Time to be Aware

Early signs of Alzheimer’s are in the eye, believe it or not. In this “preclinical stage”, vision problems are one of the first symptoms of Alzheimer’s to manifest. This can lead to difficulty balancing, reading, spatial relationships, and driving.

Early Signs & Symptoms of Alzheimer’s

Mild, or early-stage Alzheimer’s, often occurs in perfectly healthy-seeming people. Memory loss is often the first and most obvious sign that dementia may be setting in. Keep an eye out for the following symptoms and get to a doctor if you can for a proper diagnosis.

• Poor judgment that leads to bad decisions, such as less attention to hygiene or trouble taking care of a pet
• Loss of spontaneity and sense of initiative
• Normal daily tasks take longer to complete
• Repeating questions
• Trouble handling money and paying bills
• Wandering and getting lost
• Losing things or misplacing them in odd places
• Mood and personality changes such as quick to be fearful or suspicious
• Withdrawal from work or social activities
• Increased anxiety and/or aggression 

Moderate Signs & Symptoms of Alzheimer’s

It’s time to take a step toward support for your senior loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s disease when moderate signs appear. The person will require more intensive supervision to ensure safety and quality of life.

• Increased memory loss and confusion — including forgetfulness, repetition, and increased reliability on memory aids
• Inability to learn new things
• New problems with language: reading, writing, and working with numbers
• Difficulty organizing thoughts and thinking logically such as challenges planning or solving problems
• Shortened attention span
• Problems coping with new situations
• Difficulty carrying out multi-step tasks, such as getting dressed
• Problems recognizing family and friends
• Hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia
• Impulsive behavior such as undressing at inappropriate times or places or using vulgar language
• Inappropriate outbursts of anger
• Restlessness, agitation, anxiety, tearfulness, wandering — especially in the late afternoon or evening
• Repetitive statements or movement, occasional muscle twitches

Late-Stage Alzheimer’s

People with severe Alzheimer’s are entirely immobile and dependent on the support of others as their body shuts down. Symptoms include:

• Inability to communicate
• Weight loss
• Seizures
• Skin infections
• Difficulty swallowing
• Groaning, moaning, or grunting
• Increased sleeping
• Loss of bowel and bladder control

Alzheimer’s Anger: A Sad Side Effect

“Alzheimer’s anger” is sudden aggression that arises for no apparent reason but stems from deep frustration with the situation they find themselves in. They are most likely in physical discomfort, can no longer communicate properly, and may feel overstimulated or lost in every sense of the word. It is overwhelming for both the person and their caregiver, and it’s important to remember to always ensure safety first and to remain open and relaxed.

Don’t have anyone you can talk to as a caregiver, person with the disease, or family member? Try the Alzconnected.org message board to find a community you can talk to.

Can You Prevent Alzheimer’s?

There are several other types of dementia that interfere with daily life, such as Huntington’s Disease, Mixed Dementia, Parkinson’s Disease and Korsakoff Syndrome among others. Keeping a diligent eye on the senior loved one in your life and knowing the signs and symptoms to look for can help with early diagnosis.

You can lower your risk of Alzheimer’s disease and delay its onset by:

• Eating a fresh diet that consists of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, seafood, and unsaturated fats (Mediterranean Diet).
• Regular exercise
• Good sleeping habits
• Managing high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and high cholesterol
• Choosing not to smoke

A proper diagnosis will likely include neuropsychological testing, a physical exam, and brain imaging.

Talk to your loved ones if it’s time to see a doctor, and know that Verve Senior Living has trained, professional staff on hand to offer support and guidance every step of the way.