Now that the new year is here, it’s a great time to welcome the possibilities that the changing of a calendar brings. At American House Senior Living, we want to talk about senior living in 2024 and offer 5 ways to embrace joy.

A new year brings the opportunity to celebrate a new beginning, leave the past behind and focus on creating new joyful memories with friends and family. Whether you’re aging in place, living with family or enjoying life in your own apartment in an American House Senior Living community in Michigan, there are many ways to welcome 2024.

Senior Living In 2024: 5 Ways To Embrace Joy

Our communities work to foster friendships and community, and the new year is no exception. We had New Year’s events, and we welcome our residents and their families to attend our social activities throughout the year.

Here are some ways to welcome the new year and embrace it with a sense of joy and wonder.

1. Host your own New Year’s themed party. You don’t have to stay awake until midnight to celebrate New Year’s. In fact, hosting a party during the first week of the year is a great way to keep the celebration and festivities going. Choose a theme for your party and invite friends to attend. Do you enjoy tea parties or Hollywood glam or action movies? Plan your party with decorations, foods and activities from your favorite theme.

2. Don’t go it alone when you set your resolutions. Whether you take time to talk about your resolutions, new habits you want to start or old habits you want to stop, you’re more likely to follow through when you share it with others. Use your resolution-setting time as a way to get together with your family at American House and make an afternoon of talking about resolutions and why you’re setting them.

3. Take a trip down memory lane as a way to welcome in the new year. Take any photos that you have from the previous year and make a scrap book. When you look at the photos from the past year, it is a great way to embrace the positive from the year that’s passed.

4. Consider learning something new in the new year. Many of our communities offer activities that you can get involved in and learn something new from. If you’ve never played chair volleyball or taken part in our craft activities, maybe put that as a resolution. If you want to learn to knit or paint, see if there are any classes at local senior centers where you can do that.

5. Work on your mental and physical wellness. Find a walking partner and take a stroll around the American House community regularly. This is a great way to get physically active and foster friendships. Work on puzzles or trivia to help stay mentally alert. Your mental and emotional wellness can be enhanced by visiting friends or family – if your loved ones aren’t local, set up a time to meet via video to have a chat. Volunteer with a local group whose mission you embrace.

As with almost anything you do, you get out of it what you put into it. But at American House, we believe the new year opens doors to new adventures, experiences and opportunities. Let’s celebrate 2024 with excitement and a time of renewal and possibility.

Give us a call today, schedule a tour and consider making American House your new “home sweet home.”

American House was founded in 1979 to enrich the lives of seniors and their loved ones in an environment that fosters independence, compassion, quality services and meaningful relationships. We provide a wide range of senior living options, including independent living, independent living with assistance, memory care services provided by a third party, respite stays and hospice in Dearborn Heights, Farmington Hills, Rochester Hills, Sterling Heights and Westland.

Call an American House Senior Living community near you today to schedule a tour of one of our beautiful facilities and ask questions to help put your mind at ease if you’re considering a move for an aging loved one, spouse or even for yourself.

The post Senior Living In 2024: 5 Ways To Embrace Joy appeared first on American House Senior Living Communities.

We may not want to face it ourselves, and we don’t want to think about our aging family members having to leave their homes, but there may just come a time when aging in place isn’t feasible. There are 5 benefits of living at American House, but it certainly makes sense that you’d want to start researching and visiting senior living communities before an immediate need arises.

The “sandwich generation” is the term given to adult caregivers who are taking care of aging parents, holding down jobs and raising their own children. It’s a recipe for caregiver burnout, and before that happens, it’s wise to sit down with your aging loved ones and have a talk about what’s best for everyone. This is especially true if the seniors in your life can no longer perform daily living tasks or can’t keep up with home maintenance or grocery shopping.

If your aging parents and loved ones are struggling with daily tasks and it’s getting harder for you to take care of it all, consider a respite stay at one of our communities. This will give your family member an introduction to what we offer and to the amenities of our apartments. One of the biggest benefits of living in one of our communities is peace of mind – for you and the senior in your life.

There are no long-term commitments at American House. Not only do we offer short-term respite stays, but there are no long-term lease arrangements, and that’s why a senior living community like ours lets you try before deciding to move in.

There are always questions and concerns you and your family have before making a move, and we’re here to answer your questions.

What are the 5 benefits of living at American House?

1. You can rest assured that your loved one is in a safe and secure apartment. The apartments provide one-story living along with bathrooms that accommodate seniors or those with limited mobility and more.
2. You need to determine the level of care you or your loved one need and choose a senior living community that suits that. Not all communities provide personal care, and if your aging loved one requires it, you will need to understand what is offered, what isn’t and what may be required in the future.
3. Help eliminate loneliness with our social activities and outings, as well as dining room facilities, where you or the senior in your life can get involved and make new friends.
4. You can rest assured that you are moving your loved one into a community where they are making friends, enjoying themselves and are in a safe environment where there is no maintenance required.
5. There doesn’t have to be a loss of independence. Some of our residents have cars and come and go as they please. Other residents rely on our transportation options to take them grocery shopping, on special outings or to doctor’s offices. If you’re concerned about a loss of independence, talk with one of our staff when you’re on your building visit.

Prepare in advance and know what you’re looking for in a senior living community in Michigan. Here are a few questions to think about.

1. Choose a location that allows for easy visits, and if your loved one is still driving, find a community that is close to shopping centers, doctors and family.
2. Do you want to live in a large, bustling community, or are you more comfortable in a smaller, more intimate living arrangement in a smaller community?
3. What services are needed now? What services might be needed in the future?
4. What is the staff-to-resident ratio?
5. What is the cost?

We understand there can be relocation stress associated with moving from a family home and into a senior living community and do what we can to make the transition as seamless as possible.

Give us a call today, schedule a tour and consider making American House your new “home sweet home.”

American House was founded in 1979 to enrich the lives of seniors and their loved ones in an environment that fosters independence, compassion, quality services and meaningful relationships. We provide a wide range of senior living options, including independent living, independent living with assistance, memory care services provided by a third party, respite stays and hospice in Dearborn Heights, Farmington Hills, Rochester Hills, Sterling Heights and Westland.

Call an American House Senior Living community near you today to schedule a tour of one of our beautiful facilities and ask questions to help put your mind at ease if you’re considering a move for an aging loved one, spouse or even for yourself.

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Triple-digit temperatures are prevalent in many parts of the country. In Michigan, heat and humidity are constant reminders that the dog days of summer are here to stay. Because winters are long and cold, it makes sense that seniors and older adults want to soak up the sun and get out of doors as often as possible when summer arrives. We have put together a list of how seniors can stay safe in the heat: 4 tips.

At American House Senior Living, we understand that, but we also offer advice on how seniors can stay safe in the heat, along with 4 tips to prevent heat stroke or heat exhaustion.

As we get older, our body’s ability to respond and protect us from summer heat diminishes. Senior citizens and older people are at a higher risk of suffering a heat-related illness in the sweltering summer months.

How Seniors Can Stay Safe In The Heat: 4 Tips

A condition called hyperthermia is a collection of heat-related illnesses that include:

1. Heat stroke
2. Heat exhaustion
3. Heat edema (when your feet and ankles swell because of the heat)
4. Heat cramps

Experts from the National Institute on Aging explain older adults are more prone to these heat-related illnesses because:

1. There are age-related changes that happen in our bodies that include poor blood circulation and sweat glands that operate more inefficiently.
2. They suffer underlying heart and lung diseases that lead to general weakness.
3. Older adults who have high blood pressure are at an elevated risk of heat-related illnesses.
4. The consumption of alcoholic beverages can lead to dehydration. It could be compounded by being dehydrated in a general sense because older adults may not drink as much water as is necessary to keep them healthy.
5. Many older adults take medications to treat different health conditions, and these can lead to possible heat-related problems.
6. Lifestyle factors include living in a house or apartment without adequate ventilation or air conditioning. They also include overdressing for the weather and not being cognizant of how to respond to heat-related issues arising.

How can you protect yourself or your loved one from injuries or health problems because of heat and humidity?

The older adult professionals at American House Senior Living in Michigan offer these tips:

1. Stay indoors on the hottest and most humid days. Stay inside the house during the hottest parts of the day. If you go outdoors, wear protection from the heat like a hat or long-sleeved, light-colored, loose clothing. Stay in the shade. Consider using an umbrella to protect yourself from the heat of the sun’s rays.
2. Exercise during the coolest parts of the day – early morning or early evening. Make sure you drink plenty of fluids when you’re exercising.
3. Stay in an air-conditioned space. When you choose an apartment at any of our American House Senior Living communities, you are assured an air-conditioned apartment. Our gathering spaces are also air-conditioned to keep our older adults cool and comfortable. If you are aging in place and don’t have access to air-conditioned living, open windows during the coolest parts of the day and use fans to circulate the air. When the sun gets hotter, close the curtains and keep the fans running to help cool you and your house.
4. Drink plenty of water. There is nothing more refreshing than water. You can enjoy it with ice or without. If you want to give your water a flavor boost, consider putting a pitcher of water in the refrigerator and dropping in some cucumber, lemon, or lime slices. Add some blueberries or strawberries for added color and flavor. Stay away from caffeinated beverages or alcohol, as they can lead to dehydration.

High body temperatures, lack of sweating, dry, flushed skin, fainting and confusion are a few of the signs of heat stroke or heat exhaustion.

Here are a few more tips for how seniors can stay safe in the heat

What should you do if you feel yourself or a loved one suffering these symptoms?

1. Move them to a cooler space.
2. Put cool cloths on their foreheads, wrists and on their armpits.
3. Give them cool water to drink.
4. Turn on fans to get a cross breeze going and encourage them to sit down and relax in the cool space.
5. Call 911 if you suspect or are concerned about heat stroke.

Give us a call today, schedule a tour and consider making American House your new “home sweet home.” Escape the heat and make new friends in our senior living community!

American House was founded in 1979 to enrich the lives of seniors and their loved ones in an environment that fosters independence, compassion, quality services and meaningful relationships. We provide a wide range of senior living options, including independent living, independent living with assistance, memory care services provided by a third party, respite stays and hospice in Dearborn Heights, Farmington Hills, Rochester Hills, Sterling Heights and Westland.

Call an American House Senior Living community near you today to schedule a tour of one of our beautiful facilities and ask questions to help put your mind at ease if you’re considering a move for an aging loved one, spouse or even for yourself.

The post How Seniors Can Stay Safe In The Heat: 4 Tips appeared first on American House Senior Living Communities.

Aging is a fact of life. There is no escaping it, but that doesn’t mean you can’t age in a way that makes your Golden Years shine brightly! While genetics plays a role in our health and we can’t control it, we can control other aspects of our life and health that make aging something there’s no need to dread. The senior living experts at American House in Michigan offer these ways to get healthy and stay healthy.

Don’t tell yourself, “I’m too old to start living healthier.” That’s just not true! There are simple steps you can take starting today that will help you age in the healthiest way possible. Taking the choice of aging in a way that helps keep you physically active and emotionally involved is the best way to enjoy your Golden Years.

Ways To Get Healthy And Stay Healthy

The National Institutes of Health offer a wealth of information on healthy and happy aging, and they shared these tips for older adults. We do urge you to check with your own doctor before you start any kind of exercise or make any drastic changes to the way you live.

Ready. Set. Go… for your healthier older adult years. 

1. Get your zzzzzs. Sleep is when your body rejuvenates itself and repairs the toll the day has taken on your physical and mental health. Go to bed at regular times and wake up at the same time every day. Getting into a routine sleep pattern will help you get the best night’s rest possible. Talk with your doctor if you have trouble falling, or staying, asleep.
2. Get up and get moving. You don’t have to run a marathon, but you do need to get up and move. You could walk around your house or march in place while you’re watching television. Consider taking a walk around the neighborhood. When you live at one of our American House Senior Living communities in Michigan, you can walk up and down the hallways, or you can walk the campus when the weather allows for it. You could do chair yoga or gentle bends and stretches. Any kind of movement will help you age more gracefully, and when you’re moving, you are also helping improve your balance. That is necessary as you age to help prevent falls.
3. Diet matters. We’re not saying you need to go on a diet, but you should eat healthy meals. Choose a wide variety of fruits and vegetables to have as snacks or with your meals. Eat healthy proteins and fish. Look for, and enjoy, whole grains such as oatmeal. Drink alcohol in moderation and eat processed foods and snacks in moderation also. You don’t have to give up all the foods you love, but you need to eat more mindfully to help ensure you’re practicing healthy habits for a lifetime.
4. Don’t avoid your doctor. In fact, schedule regular visits and check-ups even if you feel healthy. Your doctor is your partner in good health and may be the first to notice any slight changes in your health that he or she can help address. Follow your doctor’s instructions and give them a call if you feel any “new” aches or pains that simply won’t go away.
5. Don’t forget to care for your mental and emotional health. Older adults who are isolated may find themselves suffering from depression and anxiety. If you live alone, make it a point to get out and socialize, attend senior community activities or get involved in your church or another social group. Our residents have “neighbors” they can make friends with and enjoy a cup of coffee or a stroll around the campus. If your family lives far away, use technology to stay in touch.
6. Enjoy a hobby. Is there a hobby you have always loved but haven’t participated in for a while? Is there something you always wanted to try but haven’t? Why not take up a hobby? Take a class to learn to knit or crochet, if that’s something you’ve always wanted to do. If woodworking or making birdhouses is on your wish list, what’s stopping you? Look for activities that incorporate a hobby you’re involved in or want to get involved in. There is no time like the present to try something new or restart something you’ve gotten away from.

Older adults who are aging-in-place live should make an effort to maintain physical and mental health to ensure they can continue to remain in their homes. At our American House Senior Living Communities, our residents are treated like family, and have access to socialization, home-cooked meals, activities and more that the NIH believes are crucial to healthy aging.

American House was founded in 1979 to enrich the lives of seniors and their loved ones in an environment that fosters independence, compassion, quality services and meaningful relationships. We provide a wide range of senior living options, including independent living, independent living with assistance, memory care services provided by a third party, respite stays and hospice in Dearborn Heights, Farmington Hills, Rochester Hills, Sterling Heights and Westland.

Call an American House Senior Living community near you today to schedule a tour of one of our beautiful facilities and ask questions to help put your mind at ease if you’re considering a move for an aging loved one, spouse or even for yourself.

The post How To Get Healthy And Stay Healthy appeared first on American House Senior Living Communities.

One of the many things that children of aging parents don’t want to think about is, “where will mom and dad live when they can no longer live safely at home?” Aging adults also share that fear. When it comes to where aging loved ones will live, we have insight into how senior living communities offer peace of mind for both the adult child and the aging parent.

At American House Senior Living in Michigan, our six communities provide social interaction, healthy meals and a safe environment in which to live. Whether you have an older parent who can live independently or your aging loved one requires a higher level of care or even memory care, do your research on living arrangements that will be suitable for mom and dad and the entire family. Try to involve your aging loved one as much as possible in the decision on where to live and when to make the move into a senior living community. To make the move as stress-free as possible, you must remain sensitive to your loved one’s feelings. The effects of “relocation stress” should not be ignored or minimized.

How Senior Living Communities Offer Peace Of Mind

In some instances, the decision to move an aging loved one or a spouse into a senior living community comes following an unexpected injury. The sudden onset of an illness that makes it impossible for you to care for them at home could also be a deciding factor in making a move.

It is not always as straightforward as the situations mentioned above, though. You may find that your aging parent and his or her chronic health conditions or bouts of forgetfulness are troubling. It’s important to pay attention to sometimes subtle behavioral, mental and physical changes that may prompt a move into a senior living community.

Those could include:

1. Leaving the stove on.
2. Not remembering to eat meals.
3. Becoming forgetful.
4. Inability to perform simple daily personal hygiene tasks.
5. Living in a home that is simply not senior-friendly and that has trip or fall hazards.
6. If your loved one is a danger to themselves or others.

The peace of mind offered by a move into an American House Senior Living community is a benefit to both the adult child or spouse and aging parent. We do suggest that conversations about where your aging parent will live should occur before the need arises. No one wants to be faced with making a major decision like a move into an adult-living facility during a crisis situation. We invite our potential residents to call a nearby community and ask to schedule a personal tour. When you and your loved one can see the possibilities and benefits that come from living in an American House community in Michigan, the eventual move will be a less stressful situation because of the pre-planning.

How would a move into a senior living community bring peace of mind to you, your family and your loved one? Here are a few of the many ways to consider:

1. Access to medical assistance if needed.
2. Increased safety.
3. The ability to live in a maintenance-free apartment and not have to worry about yard and lawn care or repairs.
4. Access to activities and outings.
5. Healthy prepared meals.
6. The opportunity to make new friends.

Many people who are faced with moving mom or dad or a spouse into a senior living community can feel anxiety and a sense of loss. It’s a normal feeling, but when you weigh the safety and security of your loved one, you know you’re doing your best for them – even if it’s not easy to recognize that in the beginning.

American House was founded in 1979 to enrich the lives of seniors and their loved ones in an environment that fosters independence, compassion, quality services and meaningful relationships. We provide a wide range of senior living options, including independent living, independent living with assistance, memory care services provided by a third party, respite stays and hospice in Dearborn Heights, Farmington Hills, Rochester Hills, Sterling Heights and Westland.

Call an American House Senior Living community near you today to schedule a tour of one of our beautiful facilities and ask questions to help put your mind at ease if you’re considering a move for an aging loved one, spouse or even for yourself.

The post How Senior Living Communities Offer Peace Of Mind appeared first on American House Senior Living Communities.

Winter in Michigan can be long, lonely and cold. At American House Senior Living Community, we understand there are several months of the year when the sun doesn’t shine brightly – or at all – and snow is falling and the doldrums set in. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) can impact anyone of any age, but in some cases, older adults are more negatively affected because they may be isolated in the winter months. We have put together a list of 7 ways seniors can beat the winter blues that you or your loved ones may find helpful.

American House Senior Living Communities have life enrichment directors on staff, and they plan activities, exercise classes, events, themed dinners and bus trips to help ease the feeling of being shut in. Staying active and involved goes a long way toward beating the winter blues, even if you or your loved one lives alone.

7 Ways Seniors Can Beat The Winter Blues

Before we get into how to beat the winter blues, we want to share some of the symptoms of SAD and feeling “down.”

1. The most obvious is feeling sad or depressed.
2. Your energy is low.
3. You don’t want to be with or talk with friends and family.
4. You overindulge in unhealthy foods OR you have a lack of appetite.
5. You feel apathetic and have no motivation to get involved in activities you once enjoyed.
6. You’re sleeping more than usual, and you may wake up still feeling tired.

Here are some easy – and fun – ways to make it through winter and find ways to cope with the long, gray snowy days. Remember, you don’t have to wait until spring to feel better! We think you will like these 7 ways seniors can beat the winter blues.

1. Eat a diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables, and try to avoid carbohydrate-heavy foods or sugar-filled treats. Ask your doctor whether supplements can help round out your diet to ensure you’re getting all the vitamins and minerals you need to stay healthy.
2. Turn on the lights! One of the main reasons people suffer from depression in the winter is the lack of sunlight. You can buy a light that simulates sunshine and casts a bright enough light to help lift your mood. You may want to talk with your medical professional about whether you’d benefit from light therapy.
3. Take comfort in being comfortable. Cozy, warm blankets, thick socks, sitting in front of a fireplace and sipping a warm drink will all work together to take the chill off the day. Being cozy is a mood booster, and it might make sense to invest in blankets, clothing and other items that make you feel wrapped in comfort.
4. Get up and get moving. This may seem counterintuitive to being comfortable and cozy, but throughout the day you can alternate from sitting and relaxing to getting physical activity. If the weather doesn’t cooperate to let you get outdoors and take a walk, just take a walk inside your home. Walk in place, walk around your home, do stretches or practice chair yoga. When you’re being physically active, you are boosting your serotonin (feel-good hormone) levels and boosting your mood. Additionally, staying active will go a long way in helping you stay healthy. At our American House communities, we offer a variety of exercises suitable for older adults and even those with limited range of motion.
5. This may be harder for seniors who live alone and don’t want to venture out into the cold and snow, but you can still “socialize” by calling a friend or family member. Go online and do a video chat with a loved one. If you live in a senior living community in Michigan, eat your meals in the dining room with your friends, participate in various on-site and off-site activities and spend time with your American House neighbors.
6. Learn something new. Have you always wanted to learn to knit or crochet? Do you love an evening with friends putting together a puzzle or playing cards or bingo? Maybe you want to learn a new language or learn to write a story. If you’re housebound, there is no time like now to take a class, spend time with your friends, learn something new or take up a hobby.
7. Practice gratitude. There are days when it may seem as though there is nothing to feel happy about or look forward to, but if you take a little time to think about it, you may just find something to be grateful for. Perhaps you had a wonderful talk with a friend. Maybe you enjoyed a delicious dinner. If you spent a couple of hours watching your favorite movie in your favorite comfortable place and it brought a smile to your face, write it down. You might have played a rousing game of balloon volleyball with your friends at your American House Senior Living Community and your team won! Get into the habit of writing down a few things that you’re grateful for every day and when you’re feeling down, read them. They just might put a smile on your face and even motivate you to do more of what made you happy. You don’t have to have major life changes in order to be grateful. Some days it’s the smallest things that bring the biggest glimmer of happiness.

A bonus tip for beating the winter blues is to plant some greenery. Buy a plant and nurture it. Plant some seeds and grow herbs on your windowsill. If you don’t have a green thumb, consider getting a few succulents – they are very hardy and still add a pop of nature and greenery to a gray wintery day.

If you try some of the strategies and you’re still not feeling yourself, make sure you reach out to a loved one or your doctor and talk with them. Winters may be long, but you don’t have to feel alone or lonely.

American House was founded in 1979 to enrich the lives of seniors and their loved ones in an environment that fosters independence, compassion, quality services and meaningful relationships. We provide a wide range of senior living options, including independent living, independent living with assistance, memory care services provided by a third party, respite stays and hospice in Dearborn Heights, Farmington Hills, Rochester Hills, Sterling Heights and Westland.

The post 7 Ways Seniors Can Beat The Winter Blues appeared first on American House Senior Living Communities.

Michigan winters can be cold, long and lonely, and this can be especially true for older adults. That’s why our team at American House Senior Living Communities in Sterling Heights has put together a list of 5 reasons this is the best time of year to move. Our American House Senior Living Communities team offers a fantastic array of physical activities, social gatherings and outings. In fact, at the Sterling Heights community, we offer “activity bucks” that our residents receive when they participate in activities. The “bucks” can be redeemed at the on-site store.

Whether you get involved in our activities or just enjoy a quiet game of cards with your new friends or having a meal with your neighbors, this is the best time of year to make a move.

5 Reasons This Is The Best Time Of Year To Move

Why should you move into one of our single-story, affordable apartments before the snow starts to blow?

1. You’ll be cozy and settled before the holiday season.
2. You will be all set up to decorate your new place and entertain your friends and loved ones, meet new residents and make new friends to spend long winter days with.
3. The cost of moving may be lower this time of year. You may also have more apartment options this time of year than in the spring.
4. You just don’t want to face another winter being lonely and isolated in your own home.
5. As an incentive to move into American House Sterling Heights before the end of the year, we are offering: $200 off your rent for the first twelve months, and we will also waive our one-time $1,500 community fee!

Cooler days make packing up your household and moving into a new apartment more comfortable than if you were moving in the height of a hot, humid summer. The bright, sunny and comfortable days and nights and the lovely foliage, as well as knowing the holidays are just around the corner, might just be the reasons you were looking for to make a move to a new, no-maintenance (and that means no shoveling this winter!) apartment in Sterling Heights, Michigan.

The crisp weather and bright colors of fall lead to falling leaves, and as homeowners, that means it’s time to get the rakes out and clean up the yard. The gutters will need to be cleaned, air conditioners removed and winterization tasks need to be performed before winter in Michigan arrives. Even if you’re an active adult or Boomer, raking leaves may not be the way you want to spend your free time, right?

Here are even more reasons to consider taking a tour of an American House Senior Living Community near you, moving into one of our lovely apartments and letting us take care of the raking this season!

• If you have a home to sell before you move into one of our communities, this is the best time of year to make any necessary repairs. This is also the time of year when home sales are brisk – before the holidays and winter – and you can take advantage of that.
• If you’ve been wanting a change, moving into a new apartment could be just what you’ve been looking for. There’s no reason to spend another holiday alone, as older adults sometimes do. You can be settled into your apartment and invite friends and family over to celebrate the holidays. If your friends and family don’t live close by, you can enjoy the holidays with the new friends and your new neighbors at Sterling Heights.
• Don’t let the winter chills get to you this year. The apartments at American House Senior Living Communities are cozy and warm. If you spend another winter in your home, you’ll be faced with shoveling your sidewalks and driveways (or paying a contractor, and that can get costly.) Our residents have access to transportation to and from doctors’ appointments and we have shopping trips and fun outings, and that not only makes it safe but makes winter more fun than being stuck in your home.
• If you live alone, winters and the snow and blustery winds can mean the weeks and months can be long and lonely, and isolation can lead to depression. Moving into an American House single-story apartment alleviates concerns for both the resident and their family.
• Moving now means you will be settled and comfortable in your new home. You can decorate your apartment for the holidays and know that you won’t be home alone. When you move before winter, you will have time to meet residents and make new friends to spend the holidays and those long winter days with.

Staying active and involved and living in a maintenance-free apartment will give you more time to enjoy your free time and less time worrying about home repairs and shoveling snow!

Contact an American House Senior Living Community near you and take a tour and also ask us about the benefits of moving into one of our communities this autumn. Imagine spending the holidays in your new home in American House Sterling Heights.

American House was founded in 1979 to enrich the lives of seniors and their loved ones in an environment that fosters independence, compassion, quality services and meaningful relationships. We provide a wide range of senior living options, including independent living, independent living with assistance, memory care services provided by a third party, respite stays and hospice in Dearborn Heights, Farmington Hills, Rochester Hills, Sterling Heights and Westland.

The post 5 Reasons This Is The Best Time Of Year To Move appeared first on American House Senior Living Communities.

If living in a maintenance-free apartment in a senior living community in Michigan that may offer meals, activities, access to medical assistance and the opportunity to make new friends, sounds great, you may need to consider downsizing.

Downsizing is not easy. Downsizing means you are looking at getting rid of items that may not have a practical use any longer, but that have sentimental value (and you cannot discount sentimental value) and it’s sometimes a heart-wrenching experience.

Whether you and your spouse or significant other are downsizing from a large family home into a senior community in Michigan or if you’re moving from an apartment or condo into an American House MI senior community, it will take time and planning.

Prepare To Move Into A Senior Living Community

The transition from your home to a senior community may mean you have to get rid of a lot of your belongings. Give yourself time to go through your belongings, even your furniture, and see decide what you cannot possibly live without. Once you have sorted items into that “pile” then you can go through your other possessions and decide whether you want to:

1. Donate
2. Sell (yard sales are a great way to bring in additional cash)
3. Gift to your children

Here are some tips to help you prepare for your move:

1. Try on all your clothing. If it doesn’t fit, don’t bring it with you. If you haven’t worn it in months or years, then get rid of it. If you have six winter jackets, decide which one or two you wear the most and donate or sell the others. How many pairs of shoes or boots do you need? We understand – it’s easy to buy so many clothes that you don’t wear half of what you have. In fact, it’s been said that people “wear 20% of what they own 80% of the time.”
2. If you touch an item, you need to decide on it. Don’t just set it aside “for later.” Have your piles set up: keep, donate, sell or give as a gift and make the decision immediately.
3. Ask for help. If you have children or grandchildren or siblings or friends ask for their help in sorting your items. It may make it easier to have someone to bounce ideas off of when you’re making a decision on which items to take and which to leave behind.
4. Don’t tell yourself, “I am going to go through all of my stuff today!” Give yourself time to go through it. Give yourself a week or a month or longer. 
5. What items do you own that could be digitized? For example, if you have boxes and albums of photos, you certainly don’t want to get rid of them. You can send them off to a company who will take all your precious photographic memories and digitize them. You can have all the photos put into a “cloud” also known as an online system, or you can get the photos back on a disc. This way, you still have all of your memories, but you don’t have all of the physical photos.
6. Know how much space the maintenance-free apartment or studio you will be renting in one of the six American House MI senior living communities. Once you know the square footage and the physical layout, you can decide which pieces of your furniture will fit and which pieces will even be needed.

Consider addressing these items and having a place for them during your move. Set up a space for items such as:

• Your important paperwork.
• Your prescription medications
• Who will care for your pet during the move? Many of the American House MI communities allow you to bring a small pet with you!
• Keep non-perishable food in an easy-to-get to place during your move so you don’t have to worry about cooking during the move
• Know where your toiletries are so you can easily bathe and brush your teeth when you’ve moved in.

It’s important that you prepare yourself for a gamut of emotions to wash over you when you’re going through the downsizing process. This is natural and therefore you need to give yourself ample time for this process. Moving from a family home into a Michigan senior living community is a major life transition and that’s natural because you’re entering a new phase in your life.

 American House was founded in 1979 to enrich the lives of seniors and their loved ones in an environment that fosters independence, compassion, quality services and meaningful relationships. We provide a wide range of senior living options, including independent living, independent living with assistance, memory care services provided by a third party, respite stays and hospice in Dearborn Heights, Farmington Hills, Rochester Hills, Sterling Heights and Westland.

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