A holiday fable with a COVID-era lesson.

A long time ago—no one remembers the exact year, but it was soon after the Second World War—residents of Sunset House (known then as The Old Ladies Home of Toledo) were anxiously anticipating the Thanksgiving holiday. It was a bittersweet time, to be sure. While thankful that the fighting abroad had ended, the country mourned its heroes who sacrificed everything for their country. Everyone looked forward to seeing family and friends—and counting their blessings with loved ones.

November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month, when hospice organizations worldwide raise awareness about caring for those dealing with serious and life-limiting illnesses. At Sunset Communities, we find it an excellent time to reflect on modern-hospice history and one of its pioneers.

One in 10 Americans aged 65 and older has Alzheimer’s disease, a progressive brain disorder that impairs memory and cognitive functioning. The disease’s prevalence increases with age, affecting 3 percent in their mid-sixties to a third of those aged 85 and older. Alzheimer’s is a progressively debilitating condition, and the thought of it striking them can provoke fear among older adults.

Like it or not, we are all growing older. And somewhere along the aging process, we will reach a point where society considers us mature. The question is, will the public’s general perceptions about what it means to get old match our own?

As many individuals age, there might come a time when living alone begins to present challenges. Perhaps normal activities of daily living become too hard to accomplish without help. Or the amount of required assistance suddenly exceeds that which a family caregiver can adequately provide. In those cases, it may be time to consider a move to assisted living.

There is no denying the importance of physical exercise to our overall wellness. Whatever our age, staying active can help us manage our weight, blood pressure, pain, and emotions. That’s why health experts recommend that older adults who are fit enough for physical activity perform at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise each week.

From our experience, we know that some older adults feel put off by the term “assisted living.” The phrase could conjure up concerns about being perceived as helpless for someone unfamiliar with the services. But as people learn more, they begin to recognize how they might benefit from assisted living. Here, then, is some information you might find helpful.

The coronavirus pandemic has been disrupting personal lifestyles since mid-March while transforming the ways people work and interact. Social distancing and sheltering-in-place have lessened face-to-face contact between families, friends, co-workers, and classmates. Fortunately, online technology permits many of us to remain connected with the people in our world.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has enacted a statewide mask mandate to help slow the spread of COVID-19. The order goes into effect Thursday, July 23, at 6:00 p.m.