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Written by Brian B

Physical Games For Seniors

Physical Games For Seniors

With dozens of activities available at independent and assisted living facilities, we’ve compiled a list of the best physical games for seniors. Whether the goal is to exercise, socialize or stimulate the mind, these four games are perfect for today’s active senior citizens.

Bocce Ball

Bocce Ball’s history goes back further than one would ever guess. The sport’s first reference dates back to 5200 B.C., in fact. English scientist, Sir Francis Petrial, discovered a painting of two children playing the sport of Bocce Ball in an ancient Egyptian Tomb. By 600 B.C. the sport had made its way to Greece, eventually gaining popularity in Holland, Flanders and Belgium, as well. In 1896, the sport took center stage, with the first Bocce Olympiad being held in Athens. The Bocce boom officially began taking place in the United States by the late 1980’s, paving the way for it to become one of the most popular games for seniors today.

Game Rules

Open Bocce is perfect for casual Bocce players due mostly to the ability to play seemingly anywhere. Eight balls, plus a pallino (smaller ball) can be used for up to 2, 4, 6 or 8 players on the same court. A random participant is chosen to throw the pallino, which is the same player who tosses the first bocce ball. This participant is now considered “inside” because his or her ball is now closet to the pallino, by default. This player loses his second turn until a different player puts their ball closer to the pallino. All players now throw their own ball, with the closest to the pallino awarded one point. Additional points are earned for every one of the leader’s balls closer to the pallino than opponent’s balls. The frame is over after all players have tossed their balls, with 13 total points awarded for the overall winner.

Health Benefits

Bocce Ball is ideal for stress relief, mental stimulation, and can improve flexibility.

Yoga

Yoga is a highly effective practice for senior citizens. The controlled body positions, stretches and focus are perfect for mental and physical well-being. Achieving deep spiritual tranquility is a main priority for all yoga participants. The practice of yoga is believed to be more than 5,000 years old, and remains common today, especially among seniors. Yoga is a great way to stretch and exercise one’s body and spirit.

Health Benefits

Of the multiple benefits from yoga, weight loss is at the top of the list. With the weight reduction, metabolism is balanced, as well. Blood sugar and blood pressure could lower as a result of yoga participation. Increased muscle strength, flexibility and balance could come courtesy of yoga. The activity has been proven to improve cardiovascular and blood circulation.

Shuffleboard

Shuffleboard began being played in English pubs around the 15th century. The game has constantly changed and adapted with the times, but the rules have remained generally the same. For seniors, this is by far one of the most popular sports to play today.

Game Rules

As stated in the previous outline, rules of the game can be altered, but the objectives have always been in place. Outdoor and indoor versions of shuffleboard can vary, while undoubtedly requiring skill to emerge victorious. A player wins when reaching a score of 15, but some tournaments may require 21 points as the benchmark. Taking alternate turns, each player slides their four weights across the opponent’s board. The objective is simple: slide your weights into the area with the highest available scoring value. Players can knock an opponent’s weights off the board with their own weights, or use them to protect their score on the other end of the board.

Health Benefits

Shuffleboard reduces stress, while increasing heart rate at the same time. Mental stimulation is an added benefit to the obvious workout for several muscle groups.

Line Dancing

It is recommended that all human beings, especially seniors, should incorporate at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise in their daily routine. A great way to hit that goal is by participating in line dancing classes. Line dancing is great for the heart, and above all else keeps you healthy and in shape. The activity is perfect for beginners who may not have the greatest rhythm or timing when it comes to the world of dance.

Health Benefits

Line dancing has a plethora of health benefits. The obvious benefits include improving stamina, balance and posture. The constant movement has been shown to lower stress and improve stamina over time. In addition, an avid line dancer should see a lowered risk of diabetes, osteoporosis, high blood pressure and heart disease.

Find Independent Living In Sedona

Sedona Winds Retirement Community offers independent living in Sedona, Arizona, can help! Call us today at (928) 496-6547 and learn more about our facility and what we have to offer today’s seniors.

Assised Living, Assisted Living Community, Assisted Living Retirement Communities, Independent Living, Retirement, Senior Health Issues, Senior Living
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What is Memory Care? | Questions to ask the Facility

What is Memory Care? Questions to Ask the Facility

If you are searching for the phrase “what is memory care” or “questions to ask the facility“, this post should point you in the right direction. You or your loved on needs to know the right questions to ask when looking for a memory care facility.

Memory care is a unique type of long term care which has been designed to focus on certain requirements of those who have various memory problems such as dementia and Alzheimer’s. In choosing an option for memory care you might want to put a list together of the questions you should be asking that cover all the concerns regarding the care, safety, and comfort of your loved one.

The Typical Services For Memory Care

There are questions that should be asked in order to locate the correct memory care facility for a loved one, questions regarding the costs, as well as what services are provided. Although communities of a Memory Care facility may offer numerous services, be certain that your loved one will be interested in a few of them. Should you be having thoughts of memory care for someone you love, then you should also understand that facilities for assisted living have communities that offer a separate floor/wing or their special memory care unit.

Then there is the option of an facilities that focus on independent memory care, it is important to remember that a memory care community consists of more specialized nursing skills, whereas, an assisted living community does not. Whether or not the memory care facility is in the same community and a part of the assisted living community, the cost is going to be higher. It does not matter which you choose, an SCU or a memory care unit you should find out if the staff undergo any special training in helping those with dementia and/or impaired cognition. The services that are most common are: medical monitoring, daily assistance with personal tasks and etc., supervised care 24-hours a day, 7-days per week. Additionally, they have a pleasant environment and the community is easy to navigate around.

Before making a decision on a memory care community, ask the following questions:

When you begin searching for the right memory care facility, you’ll come up with your own list of the best choices. When possible, it’s significant to take the time and tour each community. Ask question regarding that staff as well as the families of the other residents staying in the facility, this helps in determining whether or not that facility is the right place for your loved one.

When considering a memory care facility for the one you love, you can use the following questions while searching for the right one:

  1. Does the community offer the level of care you want for your loved one?
  2. Do they offer private or semi-private rooms? What’s the difference in the price for each?
  3. How much do they charge for their monthly rates on housing, including care? What different kinds of services are included in that rate?
  4. Has the staff had training? If so, what kind of training have they had?
  5. In your opinion, what can the residents look forward to for their level of personal assistance?
  6. What are the procedures and policies on handling sudden medical emergencies?
  7. How do they go about letting families know of resident’s well-being?
  8. Do they provide meals? I so, which meals do they provide? Will they be accommodating if special dietary requests are made (like kosher meals)?
  9. Do they provide housekeeping and laundry services? If so, how often?
  10. Is this facility accommodating to the needs of special care residents, such as problems with mobility, those who get aggressive physically, those who wander off, and those who are in need of diabetic care?
  11. What are the different programs offered by the facility (such as physical therapy, exercises, and socially), among others?
  12. Does the facility group their residents by cognitive level?
  13. How many staff members do they have in ratio to the number of residents throughout the daytime hours? How many throughout the night hours?
  14. What measures are taken to make certain the residents are safe and secure?
  15. What kind of discharge policies do they have?

For families that have to make the decisions regarding the care of their loved one who lives a long distance from where they do, should take into consideration what the travel costs will be, as well as learning a head of time where the community is located.

It helps to have an Advocate while searching

It helps to have an Advocate during the time you are searching for a community for your loved one, and “A Place For Mom’s Senior Living Advisers” can help with that, whether you are seeking a Community for the Assisted Living or a Community for Memory Care, or maybe an all-in-one facility. ‘A Place For Mom’s Senior Living Advisers’ can be of assistance in devising you a plan, as well as in offering their local expertise of the communities that are available in the area where you reside.

You should consider talking with others who that have already gone through a process of making these decisions. Their knowledge on the matter could be very helpful in your own search, giving you and your loved one some much needed support during such a trying time in your family’s life.

Memory Care In Sedona, Arizona

Sedona Winds is an assisted living facility in Sedona, Arizona. To schedule a tour of our assisted living facility, SLS Communities or for more information please call us today at 623-544-4777.

Assisted Living Community, Assisted Living Retirement Communities, Memory Care
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Moving A Parent With Dementia into Assisted Living

how to move a parent with dementia into assisted living

If you are searching for “how to move a parent with dementia into assisted living“, this post should help!

While there aren’t any correct guidelines for when it is time to move a loved one into an assisted living community, however, you can be looking for signs that it is time to move them to assisted living or memory care facility.

One of the main issues is that people set tough guidelines. You may have to move a loved one if they start to forgetting their name or if they forget how to use the bathroom, but it is feasible that your loved one will not experience those changes. In the mean time, you and your loved ones can be hanging in there trying to care for someone who has dementia and they may benefit by moving to an assisted living facility.

Indications That It’s Time For Assisted Living

It is imperative to be looking out for any of these signs that it is time to move your loved one to a assisted living facility:

  1. Your loved one with dementia is not safe in their home.

One of the main reasons that you need to move your loved one into assisted living is when there isn’t adequate resources to safely care for a loved one who has dementia. It is suggested that you take a look at these safety concerns to help gauge your loved one’s circumstances:

  • Has your loved one fallen down lately? Has it occurred more than once?
  • Have they become physical combative to others or yourself?
  • Are they having trouble when they try to cook?
  • Are they capable to make meals and store them safely?
  • Are they eating normally? Are they gaining/ losing abnormal amounts of weight?
  • Are they forgetting their medication doses? Are they taking too much of their medication?
  • Are they starting to lose track of where they are when they are not at home?
  • Are they driving, when they are not supposed to?
  • Are they susceptible to a financial scam or have been deceived by one?
  1. You are starting to get drained.

Getting burned out is basically a blanket term that means a lot of circumstances are challenging for a caregiver. Some can become physically drained because of the needs of their loved one, and then it takes a toll on their health. Others can get emotionally exhausted, feel that they need to escape themselves, or get socially inaccessible. Try not to get angry, it can only make the circumstances worse.

Guilt also fits into burn out. If you have been locked into constantly being stressed, inadequately equipped to care for your loved one, or flustered. If you have feeling of guilt for having those thoughts or feeling, then it is time to begin to look into dementia care. Guilt is what you feel if you think you have done something wrong. Being frustrated that a loved one was diagnosed with dementia or just hoping that you had more free time to care for them, is not something you should feel guilty over.

  1. Your loved one who is diagnosed dementia is disinterested.

Whenever your loved one is starts asking what you are doing, tagging you around, they most likely bored. Assisted living communities have events that are specifically designed for people who have dementia and it also allows people to be with others who are in the same situation.

It is about giving them reason and purpose in their day. Don’t feel bad if you stopped meeting these needs. Caregivers can be hampered that they forget that the person that has dementia isn’t getting the stimulus they need and decline may come faster.

Do your Assisted Living Homework

Accepting that you will have to start looking for dementia care is the first step in a lengthy process. To help find a community near you that specializes in assisted living, Caring.com will provide a large directory of assisted living communities all over the nation. There you will be able to find information about the care provided as well as consumer reviews.

Here Are Some Other Steps To Help You In Your Research:

  1. Get in touch with the Alzheimer’s Association.

You can reach out to your local Alzheimer’s Association who can give you with crucial information about resources and even more the emotional and social reinforcement that you will need as you go through the process.

  1. Begin looking into dementia care sooner than later.

Take time and research facilities in your area early on, so there’s not a need to make a careless decision during a bad situation. Understanding whenever you pick assisted living that doesn’t have memory care, there may be additional costs.

Ensure that you access the activity programs as it will help to provide enough stimulation for the brain of your loved one for a better quality of life.

  1. Hire a Geriatric Care specialist.

There are professionals who specialize in advising caregivers’ research options for assisted living. The advantage of hiring these professionals is to help you locate a great match for your loved one which will make the conversations much easier, because they are able to help with discussions about the move.

  1. Consult with an attorney.

Optimally, you, your loved one and family will take care of the financial and legal arrangement issues after they are diagnosed. Your loved one who has dementia can and should be included in outlining their care choices as dementia beings to progress.

This process needs to give caregivers the power of attorney and health mandates which can help when it is time to move. If you don’t have these in place, and your loved one is refusing the much needed move, you have 2 alternatives:

  • You could establish a web of volunteer and paid care at home as well as daily itineraries.
  • You can also hire an attorney to deal with the legalities that are needed to give you the power to make the choices for them.
  1. Do your research so you can better understand dementia.

There are specific things that will develop with the disease; it doesn’t matter where your loved one is living. Accepting how dementia will alter your loved one can help you to know how you, your loved one and family can handle the situation you are in as a group.

Tips To Make The Move To Assisted Living Notably Easier

Tip 1. Invite them to lunch

If your loved one is still a bit hesitant about moving into an assisted living community, invite them to make a couple lunch visits or attend planned activities at some of the places that you have been looking at. Make these activities social and fun which can increase the warm friendliness within the communities.

Tip 2. Get paired up with other residents

Ask the staff to pair you up with 1 or 2 other tenants who are social and friendly. Don’t discuss with your loved one that you are arranging for them to live there. Instead introduce them to the tenants. Take this for instance: “This is my dad, Freddie. He loves to cook.” After you have stepped in a couple of more times, propose that they spend a bit more time there with their new found friends. Later, give them the great news that there is a great room available where he can stay for a couple of days.

Tip 3. Tell them it’s just a brief stay

Those who have dementia that may not want to move, but you can make the change much easier if you tell them that it is just momentary and for a realistic reason. For example, you could tell them that they need to be out of the house so that you can have the roof looked at, or that they need to go a place where their health can be taken care of for a little bit.

Tip 4. Help make preparations

Families will often prepare the apartment, by picking and decorating it in the facility and then cooperate with staff so that everyone will know what the reason for this move is. Once they are involved in the community, they will accept their permanent circumstances.

You will want to keep your tone as upbeat as possible; it will be hard, and bury the guilty feelings that you may have. It will be hard to lie to your loved one, but you need to understand that telling the truth could in reality, harm them.

Tip 5. Don’t make your first visit long and drawn out

Once your loved one has finally moved in, make sure to keep your first visit short and sweet. Be sure and keep the conversation positive as can be. They will most likely ask when they will be going home. Refrain from telling your loved that they are living there now, and just deflect the conversation by talking about like new friends, and what they are eating. Keep in contact with the facility staff. If they report that your loved one was agitated after the visit, you may want to give them a little more time to adjust to their new home before you start regularly visiting.

The decision about your moving your loved one to dementia care needs to be a family choice. The only guideline is to make the decision with your team, which involves your loved one with dementia, you, your family and the doctor.

Sedona Winds Offers Assisted Living In Sedona, Arizona

Sedona Winds Retirement Community is an assisted living facility in Sedona, Arizona. For more information about our assisted living facility, contact SLS Communities or to schedule a tour, please call us today at (928) 496-6547.

 

Assised Living, Assisted Living Community, Dementia
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Benefits Of Assisted Living

What Are The Benefits Of Assisted Living?

Are you searching “what are the benefits of assisted living?”, if so, this post should help. The decision to move your loved one into an assisted living community is often a daunting one. Today seniors are faced with a lot decisions in terms of where they choose to live. Seniors who can benefit from daily assistance but who are not completely dependent may be an acceptable reason to move into an assisted living facility. There are many benefits to living in an assisted living facility, and with most things, some are some drawbacks. That is why it’s necessary for family members and their loved ones to have a straightforward discussion early on about their living options.

Benefits of Living in an Assisted Living Facility

Your loved one can greatly benefit from living in an assisted living facility. If they are having difficulty with day to day tasks, they may need a little help. An assisted living facility may be just what they need.

Stress Is Greatly Decreased For Your Loved One

Assisted living helps decrease the stress in your loved one life. It also helps family members know their loved one is cared for. Seniors will always enjoy their independence while getting the care and support they require. One of the greatest benefits of an assisted living facility is that it lets seniors who have mobility issues or the early onset of Alzheimer’s to live a moderately independent way of life. The facility will most likely have on-site medical care, but the care will not be there 24 hours a day. Assisted living will offer a level of care that is suitable for seniors who do not need the 24 hour care of a nursing home but will require assistance with medications, meals, transportation outside of the facility and other daily activities like bathing themselves and getting dressed.

Family Comfort And Your Loved Ones Protection

Family members will don’t have to worry about their loved one getting cheated, hurting themselves or falling down, wandering off, eating a healthy diet or taking the wrong medicine. Assisted living facilities take certain measures to ensure their residents are always safe and protected.

The Social Life Of Your Loved one

It’s not all uncommon for our loved ones to become lonely as they age. Being lonely as a senior can lead to plenty of issues, from being depressed to having health issues, problems doing daily tasks and more. In an assisted living facility, residents become part of a kind, loving, and compassionate group. They will be surrounded by residents around the same age as them and have endless opportunities to socialize and enjoy being in the company of others.

Enhanced Activities For Your Loved One

As we get up in age, it’s important that we stay active and busy. Assisted living residents are provided with plenty of indoor and outdoor activities from yoga to garden parties, and arts and crafts. A lot of assisted living communities also offer its residents a way to get around, so they can go on short trips, go to the corner market or go to the doctor’s office.

Healthy Nutritious Meals

Great meals and nutrition are essential for your loved one. Excellently trained chefs prepare delicious meals that also will fulfill the nutritional needs and the individual preference of each resident.

Assistance In Day to Day Living

It’s really important for seniors to still have their independence, yet also have the help they need, when they need it. Assisted living communities provide residents with help, only when needed, with daily living routines, such as eating, getting dressed or laundry duties.

Find Assisted Living In Sedona

If you are looking for assisted living in Sedona, Arizona, Sedona Winds Retirement Community can help! Call us today at (928) 496-6547 and learn more about our facility and what we have to offer today’s seniors. When you are visiting assisted living facilities, make sure you ask the right questions. Print out our assisted living checklist to help you ask the right types of questions to ask and what to look out for when choosing an assisted living facility for your loved one.

Assisted Living, Assisted Living Community, Assisted Living Retirement Communities
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Assisted Living Checklist: What To Ask & What To Look For

Checklist For Assisted Living Sedona

You may be looking for a checklist for assisted living that will help you in your search and what you need to look for in an assisted living facility, read below!

When you are choosing an assisted living facility, it’s essential that you ready yourself. There are small differences between each assisted living community, they are never similar.

In making your decision you need to be organized. Below is a small checklist you can print and take with you. Be sure you always correlate the differences between each community. Ask questions which will help you in deciding which assisted living community is right for you or your loved one.

Assisted Living Checklist

Below is an assisted living checklist you can use when you go for a visit or call an assisted living facility. Simply print our Assisted Living Checklist to insure you ask the more important questions like:

  • Are the staff members allowed to administer medications?
  • Do their staff members have experience with diagnosing a recipient’s condition?
  • How much staff does the night shift have?
  • Do you have nurses staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?
  • What is their staff to resident ratio?
  • What types of apartments do they have available?
  • What kind of experience and training does your staff have?
  • Are there evaluations administered prior to admission?
  • How do you describe your residents?
  • What is the monthly cost for the different types of apartments?
  • What is their policy on payments and billing?
  • How does their release process work?
  • Is there a waiting list? If so, how long is the wait?
  • Do the monthly fees cover all of your services offered? If not, what are the costs for your extra services?

Assisted Living Tour Checklist

Below you will find an assisted living tour checklist to help you find out what to look for when taking a tour of the assisted living facility.

  • Focus on the level of cleanliness.
  • Watch an activity or community event.
  • Are the staff members appearing friendly and approachable?
  • Check out the outdoor areas or courtyard, is it well kept and managed?
  • Ask their security and staff questions, how do they react?
  • Eat a meal with the residents, does the meal seem okay?
  • Speak with some residents. Do they like the community?
  • Ask some questions about personal care.
  • Ask more about the move-out and move-in criteria.
  • Follow your instincts.

More About Sedona Winds Assisted Living 

Sedona Winds Retirement Community is a lot more than just your regular retirement community. At Sedona Winds we offer Assisted Living and Memory Care. We are located in Sedona, Arizona. Our Community offers several options to meet all of your needs. We are conveniently located by everything you may need, including amazing restaurants, wonderful shopping, scores of golf courses, educational centers, sports stadiums, and medical offices all within just a few miles.

Sedona Winds is one of the best retirement locations in the Sedona Area. Our Retirement Community is built for seniors who are looking for a lifestyle that is not only exciting and active, but also interesting.

Find Out About Assisted Living in Sedona, Arizona

To find out more about assisted living give Sedona Winds Assisted Living Community a call today at (928) 496-6547.

Assised Living, Assisted Living Community, Assisted Living Retirement Communities
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Assisted Living Camp Verde

Assisted Living Camp Verde

If you’re searching for “Assisted Living Camp Verde“, while looking for the best places to retire near Camp Verde, Arizona, then Sedona Winds Retirement Community can help! We are a very welcoming community that invites you to our scenic views and senior living lifestyle. Sedona Winds takes great pride in providing the amenities and services our seniors deserve. Our Retirement Community is built for today’s seniors. Take a look below to learn more about Assisted Living in Camp Verde, give Sedona Winds Retirement Community a call at (928) 496-6547.

Assisted Living Near Camp Verde, Arizona

Sedona Winds Retirement Community offers Assisted Living, Independent Living , and Memory Care Services Our facilities are located near Camp Verde, and have several different options available to meet the individual assisted living needs of our residents. Everything that our residents could want for or need will be within an arms reach, this includes: Health and medical offices, cultural centers, great places to shop, good places for eating out, sports arenas, and golf courses, and all of this is within a two mile radius of the facility.

The reason we are considered the best Assisted Living Facility

You’re going to find that Sedona Winds is considered to be the best in Assisted Living Facilities in the Camp Verde area, and this is due to how our community has been especially designed with the seniors of today in mind. Sedona Winds provides many different kinds of retirement living that includes Memory Care, Assisted Living, and Independent Living. It has been designed for seniors who are looking for a lifestyle that is active interesting, stimulating, and flexible enough to fit into their daily routines and schedules.

More about our Assisted Living Facility located close to Camp Verde

Sedona Winds is an attractive Assisted Living Facility that is located close to Camp Verde, Arizona. Providing very large alcove, one and two bedroom apartments, which are all spacious enough for your personal items, furniture, and clothing. Our Assisted Living Facility is a two story building that has been constructed around a beautiful courtyard which is also the main area for a majority of our activities, and it provides all of the apartments with a gorgeous view. We work at helping our residents to feel at home. Our facility also provides the residents with help in different areas, such as eating dressing, bathing medications, toileting, and so much more. All of our apartments have wonderful view of picturesque sunsets and sunrises as well.

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Included amenities:

  • A Pool that Sparkles
  • Recreational/Activity Room
  • Billiards/Pool Tables
  • The Dining area is designed in a Resort Style
  • Residents Library
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All apartments include:

  • Separate Heat & Air Units
  • Spacious floor plans
  • Provides window treatments
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
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Included in Rent:

  • All utilities and cable television
  • Personal laundry done on a weekly basis
  • Deep cleaning performed on a weekly basis
  • Staffing on 24 hours a day
  • Residents are provided three meals daily
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The Community’s Safety:

  • Desk attendants on duty 24 hour daily
  • Provides residents with the Emergency Pendent System
  • Security cameras at facility
  • Offers transportation to and from appointments
  • Provides wheelchair access
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Available floor plans for assisted living:

Sedona Winds has several different assisted living floor plans available for residents to choose from. For those who have assisted living needs, and those who want to live an independent lifestyle, Sedona Winds has an active and convenient style of living for seniors in the Camp Verde, Arizona area.

Schedule A Tour Of Our Assisted Living Facility Near Camp Verde

For More information about Sedona Winds or to schedule a tour at our Assisted Living Facility in Camp Verde, give Sedona Winds a call at (928) 496-6547.  Sedona Winds takes great pride in providing the amenities and services our seniors deserve. Contact us today and see what Sedona Winds can provide for you or your loved ones.

Assisted Living, Assisted Living Community, Assisted Living Retirement Communities, Assisted Retirement Community
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