Topic: quality of life
The arts and art-based engagement are powerful tools for fostering connection, supporting self-expression, and improving mental stimulation. In our experience as Creative Engagement Specialists, we recognize that making art is more than its outcome; it’s engaging our senses, cultivating purpose, and encouraging creativity. When you add community, you allow opportunities for giving and receiving encouragement and joy.
The participants we’ve come to know through our Art of Connection program exemplify this with a motivating, “Almost there!” or a celebratory, “You’ve done it!”
What is Art of Connection?
It is one of Aging Wisdom’s newest Creative Engagement programs. Art of Connection brings curated art experiences to older adults living together in Adult Family Homes. …
What is your role at Aging Wisdom?
Lifelong learning is the ongoing, voluntary, and self-motivated pursuit of knowledge and mastering skills throughout life. And it has been found to be particularly beneficial to the brain as we age.
Learning is for everybody, regardless of health status or condition. By challenging your brain and learning new things throughout your life, you can help build your cognitive reserve. …
Your healthcare power of attorney (HCPOA) is an individual you trust to speak for you when you are unable to voice your own decisions: A car accident, surgery, coma, dementia.
In such circumstances, doctors need someone who knows you well and has had conversations with you to guide them in terms of the medical procedures you would or would not want. …
Our work as Care Managers may be focused on the well-being and quality of life of one person, our client, but it requires understanding and looking at the whole picture.
What is the whole picture? It includes everything in the client’s life: health (and disability), family systems and dynamics, goals, preferences, personal history, finances, values, legal, housing, services & supports, and what brings joy and meaning.
Knowing the whole person, the whole picture, helps us to better guide families as they navigate options for aging well, caring well, and living well.
Additional Reading
- What is Aging Life Care?
- Get in the Lifeboat: Don’t Float Alone! Key Supports You’ll Want in Your Boat
- Alzheimer’s and the Family Caregiver
- Medical Emergencies: Are you prepared?
Could you benefit from the guidance of a Care Manager who looks at the whole picture? Click here to schedule a get-acquainted call and to determine together whether our services are a good fit for your needs.
This is an excerpt of a longer conversation between Lisa Mayfield, Aging Wisdom’s founder and principal, and Laura Vaillancourt on her Life on Repeat podcast.
Every client has a rich personal history. As an Aging Life Care practice, our Care Managers understand the value of learning about each client as an individual. It aids us as we help clients and their families navigate the best options for aging, caring, and living well.
Whenever there’s an opportunity to return to what brings a client joy, we’ll go there in some capacity. …
Each seed is a story: Care Managers get to know each client as an individualRead More »
Travel for many of us has been put on hold over the past couple years due to the pandemic. It’s been particularly difficult for families that live any distance from one another. However, there’s good news! The prevalence and effectiveness of COVID vaccines and boosters, COVID test kits, along with regular use of KN95 and N95 masks, bring added protection and peace of mind.
This is prompting many of us to make plans again. We are feeling more comfortable about travel, especially domestically. According to AARP’s 2022 Travel Trends report, 67 percent of people age 50+ anticipate traveling this year, many who are looking to spend time with family.
With some thoughtful planning, we can all enjoy a little time away. Certainly, there might be bumps along the way but anticipating those potential obstacles will lessen travel stress and help bring joy to the journey.
Here are some tips for planning ahead that will help ensure you or an older loved one is ready for an adventure: …