Senior Health

When it comes to what is required of us in order to maintain our health and wellness as we age, much like the journey that is life, some things change while other things stay the same. One is considered a senior at the still-youthful-by-today’s-standards age of 65, and with many more fortunate enough to live to see triple digits than ever before, the diversity among this population is evident. That being said, there are commonalities, and we’ve consulted with the professionals to keep you informed.

Connie Chisholm Immanuel - Headshot

Connie Chisholm
Immanuel

“As the Baby Boomer generation ages we see an even more actively diverse population approaching,” says Connie Chisholm of Immanuel. “In our industry we think of health and wellness from a body, mind and spirit perspective. One of the most important things anyone can do to positively impact their health and wellness is to stay active. Of course, staying physically active with exercise is always good. Remaining mentally active can be accomplished as easily as continuing to read, participating in a lifelong learning event or perhaps taking a role in a play where line memorization is necessary. Caring for our spiritual or emotional wellness might be as simple as joining a social group, scheduling time with friends or attending weekly worship services. Health and wellness choices are really up to the individual.”

She also notes, “Like all other significant life stages, retirement or selecting senior housing take special planning. It is likely that this next generation of seniors will be more apt to pursue senior living communities offering healthy-living services and programs that will complement their more active lifestyles. It is a good idea to begin searching for the right community while the need isn’t so immediate and prior to a health crisis. Having a plan for senior living removes much of the stress of downsizing or just making such a significant life change.

AgeWell by Immanuel offers programming and events designed specifically for seniors. From weight training, yoga and group fitness classes to lifelong learning programs and our Speaker Series events to music ministries, Bible study and worship groups. All created with the health and wellness of the senior in mind.”

Much like all of our other health-related feature stories, nutrition and exercise are fundamental to maintaining good health for seniors, and as such, you’ll find them to be recurring themes touched on by the local professionals with whom we consulted across all specialty areas. As one ages, there are lifestyle adjustments that will need to be made in these two key areas.

Kelli Reilly Husker Rehabilitation - Headshot

Kelli Reilly
Husker Rehabilitation

Kelli Reilly, PT, ATC of Husker Rehabilitation explains, “General deconditioning is common for many seniors and often will set them up for a fall or injury to happen. During the aging process, muscles thin out and progressively weaken, arthritic changes occur from years of joint stress, and flexibility diminishes, often limiting range of motion across a joint. Because these changes naturally occur with age, it is imperative that you stay active in some form of exercise activity daily and maintain a nutritionally balanced diet. Proper, balanced nutrition is vital to muscle recovery, strength building, regulating blood pressure and blood sugars (which can precede a fall or balance issues) and can also either contribute to or ward off inflammation in the body. Maintaining strong and healthy muscles through proper exercise and nutrition can greatly impact your preventative health and help you avoid severe injuries secondary to deconditioning.

Furthermore, postural patterning occurs in our bodies often pulling us into certain positions due to postural habits or anatomical adaptations. Repositioning our bodies to give muscles the ability to fire better and giving our joints better mobility is key to injury prevention and recovery. Avoid shifting your weight onto one leg all the time when standing or crossing the same leg over the other as a force of habit. Other examples would be to avoid carrying your purse on the same shoulder or the groceries in the same arm. Disrupting these habits and finding a more balanced state throughout your body will be helpful towards staying healthy!

When injury does occur, rehabilitation is key to restoring you back to health and back to those daily events and activities that you love. Whether you have had a knee replacement, a rotator cuff injury, chronic back pain, arthritis limitations or balance impairments, a trained Physical Therapist can attempt to help you get back to your normal and desired activities without pain or limitations. At Husker Rehabilitation, we also offer a Wellness Membership at select locations that allows you to come and exercise in our gym environment to improve or maintain your health preventatively or post-injury!

Seniors looking for fall prevention, balance improvements, postural improvements, general body strengthening or recovery from an injury or surgical procedure would be welcomed into Husker Rehabilitation for an impairment evaluation assessment and would work through exercises and functional tasks to improve his/her condition.

She also offers helpful tips for those who hope to avoid issues or complications in the future. “It could be beneficial to put an emergency healthcare plan in place while you are healthy in the event that an accident or injury would occur. What measures do you want in place in case of an accident or fall that may result in an injury? Who will be available to stay with you or provide you with additional care for your needs? Having an action plan in place could save your loved ones a lot of questions when timely decisions would be warranted.

I would also encourage learning about fall prevention and fall-proofing your home! We can provide you with great ways to accomplish this and there is also great information about this online.

Another beneficial thing to do is to stay on top of your prescribed medications and consult with a pharmacist or physician about negative side effects or drug interactions that might be causing dizziness or balance issue that could lead to a fall/injury.”

Kris Beckenbach Guardian Angels - Headshot

Kris Beckenbach
Guardian Angels

In agreement, Kris Beckenbach of Guardian Angels advises, “Remaining as active as possible, sustaining good nutrition and remembering to take medications properly are important to everyone’s health. Elders may find their days slipping by with little accomplished. A visit from a caring professional may be the encouragement needed to get up and move, enjoy a nicely prepared meal, and take the right medications at the right time. Guardian Angels assisting with these basic needs can help people achieve the goal of remaining independent while loved ones are assured of their wellbeing.

At Guardian Angels we believe that every person has inherent dignity that age does not take away. We encourage elders to remain as independent as possible wherever they choose to live. Lincoln is blessed with many beautiful senior living communities for those who make that choice. In our 14 years of helping people, we’ve found that remaining in the home provides a quality of life that can’t really be found anywhere else. What barriers are there to staying at home? Are getting groceries and preparing nutritious meals a challenge? Has bathing become difficult or unsafe? The decision to remain at home should be coupled with open conversations with family about expectations.”

She also touches on the importance of utilizing respite resources for caregivers, whose health may be negatively impacted by caring for a loved one full-time. “Adult children are the first to be impacted when elder’s needs arise. Women, who may be working and raising their own family, often become the primary caretaker. They find themselves stretched between the demands of their own life and the guilt of trying to meet their parent’s needs. Caregivers may find themselves missing work, unhappy in their relationships, and their own health and wellbeing compromised. Everyone is stressed and unhappy but it’s difficult to pinpoint why. Let’s be honest, very few of us are comfortable providing a bath or changing a brief for our parent or in-laws.

Peace of mind for everyone involved is available by engaging reliable help from a trustworthy source like Guardian Angels. Let professional caregivers do the shopping, laundry, cooking, transportation, bathing and continence care. Family members should spend quality time with each other! That’s the goal of in-home assistance.”

Going back to rehabilitation, she also notes, “Guardian Angels has recently implemented tracking of hospital stays and discharges for our clients. This is important to facilities as they work to meet federal mandates regarding readmission following a hospital stay. We are proud to be innovating to help our partners in the health care community meet their goals while serving our clients.”

Christy Merritt The Waterford Communities - Headshot

Christy Merritt
The Waterford Communities

With respect to preserving proper function of our bodies and minds as we age, Christy Merritt of The Waterford Communities further emphasizes, “Stay active, stay active and stay active – both physically and mentally. Even seniors who have limited mobility can benefit from stretching and breathing exercises. Reading, doing puzzles and conversing with others are good ways to keep the brain active. Above all don’t let yourself be isolated; everyone needs connection. Find the activity that suits you and stay with it.

She also touches on the importance of adequate and consistent fluid intake. “Urinary tract infections can wreak havoc on seniors causing memory issues, confusion, and other medical issues. Many times these infections are brought on by not consuming enough fluids. Staying hydrated is not on the top of many of our resident’s checklist so we try to offer a variety of beverages and encourage our seniors to keep pushing fluids.”

In general, for all aspects of daily living that contribute to good health, she advises, “The Waterford Communities provides assisted living and memory care for seniors. Assisted living allows for seniors to maintain as much independence as possible while having help with daily activities such as cooking, bathing and taking medications. It’s important to educate yourself on what options are available for different types of care. What are the differences between skilled nursing, independent living, and assisted living? Also look at your current living situation. Would your home be adaptable to in-home care if possible? Many insurance policies will cover home modifications in order to allow seniors to stay in their homes longer.”

Leslie Frank Nebraska Hearing Center - Headshot

Leslie Frank
Nebraska Hearing Center

Those with hearing loss are also at risk for decline in health due to isolation. It takes approximately 7 years for someone to admit they have a hearing loss. During that time, it’s very likely that person has slowly withdrawn from social activities, “because it is easier to stay home than to deal with distorted conversations,” says Audiologist Leslie Frank MS, CCC-A of Nebraska Hearing Center.

Recent studies from Johns Hopkins show that hearing loss may play a role in dementia or Alzheimer’s. Certain areas of the brain are used to process sound and speech. According to the study, when those areas of the brain are not being used, it may lead to dementia.

“At Nebraska Hearing Center, we encourage all adults to have their hearing tested annually,” Leslie states. “Once a baseline is set, you can then monitor any changes. We take away all excuses because hearing evaluations at Nebraska Hearing Center are free.

Prevention is the key. Wear earplugs when vacuuming, mowing the yard or attending concerts. After your baseline is set, it is recommended to monitor your hearing annually. At Nebraska Hearing Center, we encourage you to treat your hearing like any other annual checkup – which is why we offer the free hearing evaluations.”

Technology is really changing the world of hearing. Nebraska Hearing Center offers wireless technology. Phone calls, music and TV stream directly into the hearing aid. The technology greatly improves the clarity. Clients have reported noticing a big difference when in meetings, noisy places, or while at church. Nebraska Hearing Center also offers a new tinnitus device, and clients who have had ringing in their ears for years are no longer hearing it.

Common signs to look for regarding hearing loss are:

  • Your loved one can hear loud noises and voices, but can’t understand conversations.
  • They overuse the word “what.”
  • The TV volume is too loud for others.
  • They have trouble holding a conversation in a noisy environment, like a restaurant.
  • They have ringing in their ears.

When looking for a hearing professional, be sure to work with an audiologist. Find a professional who you are comfortable with because adjusting to hearing aids is a process. Seniors look forward to gatherings with friends and family. Why not be an active participant and enjoy those gatherings? If aids can make life more enjoyable, it is worth the investment.”

Jolee Urbanovsky Bridge to Better Living - Headshot

Jolee Urbanovsky
Bridge to Better Living

Also speaking to the issues that arise with increased isolation that are more prevalent in the senior population, Jolee Urbanovsky, a new but experienced consultant at Bridge to Better Living, offers the following advice: “As we age social isolation frequently occurs and has the potential to lead to poor nutrition, improper medication regimes, and serious health concerns. Less space and fewer materialistic items are needed as we grow older, because it is more important to keep using our brains, embrace opportunities to make new friends and have increased social opportunities. Seniors who accept and adapt to changes as they occur enjoy a higher quality of life. Knowing resources for the changes one may experience as he or she ages is a bonus. Bridge to Better Living is passionate about placing their clients where a better quality of life awaits them.

At Bridge to Better Living (BBL), we assist with finding living options in Independent, Assisted, Memory Care and Long Term Care. Families and individuals contact us not only when being proactive about their retirement living, but also when faced with a new or changed diagnosis or in a time of immediate need. We always recommend families have a ‘Plan B’ and be proactive in looking at retirement living options. Choices are less stressful when there is not a crisis situation.

When thinking of making a move to a senior living community, use a local company as opposed to a computer search. We take the time to understand clients and their families socially, medically, physically, and even financially. You’ll have the opportunity to work with consultants who have a broad background in each aspect of senior care (home health, administration, community resources and living options), which results in a better understanding of your own unique needs. Above all, work with someone you are comfortable with and trust.

The only guarantee in life is change, so there are important questions need to be answered in order to plan accordingly. When is it no longer safe to remain home? What specific needs exist and what type of community would best meet these needs? Relying on an expert such as the consultants at Bridge to Better Living removes the stress and worry accompanying difficult situations.”

Theron Ahlman CarePatrol - Headshot

Theron Ahlman
CarePatrol of Nebraska

As also previously mentioned, there are many things occurring later on in life that may lead to depression, particularly with isolation being such a common concern. “At CarePatrol we help and work with a lot of seniors and their families, and with that, we come across a good number of seniors who are experiencing depression,” says Theron Ahlman of CarePatrol of Nebraska. “The changes that often come later in life like retirement, the death of loved ones, increased isolation, and medical problems can lead to depression. Depression prevents seniors from enjoying life like they used to, and goes beyond mood and can impact energy, sleep, appetite and physical health. Many of the seniors who are experiencing depression are living alone, and are sitting in their house all day long doing not doing much or just watching TV. Socialization can really help with depression as it’s needed to keep their mind active like it should be, and it’s always nice to visit and talk with others during the day. Taking medication wrong and having your body thrown off by missing a dose, or taking it at different times each day can really mess up your body and once again lead to being lazy, out of it or just not feeling right to want to go out and live life.

Depression may be able to be helped by a move to an Independent Living or Assisted Living community where there are many activities for the senior to take part in, and many people to visit with during the day. The assisted living community will make sure they are getting three meals a day, taking medication correctly and encourage the senior to take part in activities that are being put on by the community. CarePatrol helps the family or senior for free find the safest and best fit Independent Living or Assisted Living community and can give the family the answers as to what community is more active, offers quality food, has medication kept in the room or on a cart, and who offers the highest levels of care as assisted living communities offer a range of care levels.

For the senior or their families that are worried about depression, they can always contact us at (402) 785-2262 as we have CarePatrol educational cards that we are happy to send out, and can talk with them about the different options available to them. We also offer a live call medication reminder program where seniors can receive calls during the day to talk to them and make sure they are doing good. At CarePatrol we don’t care where a senior wants to live, as long as they are safe and enjoying life as much as they can.”

Melissa Smith Care Consultants for the Aging - Headshot

Melissa Smith
Care Consultants for the Aging

“Oftentimes, small health issues can cause seniors to feel like they are losing their independence,” adds Melissa Smith of Care Consultants for the Aging. “Declining eyesight, mobility problems, and memory issues can lead to losing the ability to drive, fall risks, and everyday tasks becoming more difficult to perform unassisted. This can affect both their mental and their physical wellbeing. It is important for seniors to address these issues early on and for families to keep aware of how they are affecting their loved ones. Making sure seniors have mental stimulation, companionship, transportation for outings and assistance with personal care or household chores can help keep these issues under control. This can come from family members or loved ones, outside caregivers, senior centers, adult day centers or in a facility.

Staying active, both physically and mentally, can make a lasting impact on a senior’s health and wellness. Many seniors find it helpful to have a caregiver assist them in their home with tasks such as bathing, dressing, and laundry to keep them safe and healthy without taking away their independence. Having a caregiver they know in the home can make life changes less stressful.

Care Consultants refers caregivers who are CNAs and can assist seniors with companionship, personal cares, light housekeeping and much more. We have caregivers available from 1 up to 24 hours a day and on an ongoing, consistent basis or for short-term assistance in an emergency. This flexibility gives families the peace of mind knowing their loved one is being cared for by a qualified and caring individual and assures the senior that they can stay safe and healthy without losing their independence.

Care Consultants also produces the ElderCare Resource Handbook, a complete listing of services for seniors in the Omaha/Council Bluffs and Lincoln areas. Divided into five tabbed sections including ‘Government, Financial & Legal,’ ‘Medical Support,’ ‘Home Health Care & Support Services,’ ‘Living Options,’ and ‘Senior Services,’ the Handbook is a go-to resource for seniors and professionals in the community. The ElderCare Resource Handbook can be purchased for $8 or $12 with shipping. Call (402) 488-3771 in Lincoln or (402) 398-1848 in Omaha to get your copy or go online at www.careconsultants.com to view the Handbook for free.

It is always beneficial to decide what kind of care you may want and to communicate your wishes to your loved ones before a crisis occurs too. Get your legal matters in order and determine who will be helping you make medical and financial decisions. It is also important to research home care and facilities to decide how you would like to spend your time if you come to a point where you need assistance with your daily routine. Waiting until a crisis or medical event occurs can lead to rushed and less thought out decisions.”

Riley Sessions Old Cheney Rehabilitation - Headshot

Riley Sessions
Old Cheney Rehabilitation

Also along the lines of maintaining independence, Riley Sessions of Old Cheney Rehabilitation notes, “We recognize that our clients are motivated to get back to living their lives, and do all that we can to help get them to that point. Seniors can experience any number of health setbacks that would require short-stay rehabilitation, and have varying goals that must be taken into account accordingly. We’re not a long-term care facility, so everyone has the goal of getting back to where they were living before. Since it’s a certainty that the stay will not be long-term, it creates an environment where everyone has that peace of mind and shares a sense of motivation to recuperate. Our mantra is to get you back to doing what you love sooner. Whether that’s getting back on the golf course after a full knee replacement or being able to rejoin your friends for dinner and events at your independent or assisted living home after a fall or illness, we work together as a team to make that happen. With a wealth of resources at our disposal and specialists in-house for physical, occupational, and speech therapy, as well as a full gym set up for anything you might experience with daily living in your home environment, there’s always full optimism that you’ll leave our facility within the 30 days ready to get back to living your life on your terms. Even after returning home, clients are able to return for outpatient therapy with the same professionals with whom they’ve developed a relationship during their stay.

There are also a few misconceptions about rehabilitation facilities in general that I feel are very important to address. Seniors often have the fear that if they need to stay overnight in a care facility of any type, that they may be forced to stay there forever. That’s not our goal nor is that the case with any of our clients, but we do recognize that it’s a common concern. It’s our promise that we’ll do everything in our power to get you back to enjoying life. Likewise, many people see the beautiful state-of-the-art facilities and instantly equate that with being exorbitantly costly. For those with Medicare, which includes the typical hospital stay coverage, with a doctor’s order short-term rehabilitation will be covered and you’ll generally pay nothing out-of-pocket.

If you’re planning for a surgery coming up, we invite you to come visit and let us show you around. We can also prepare the paperwork ahead of time to ensure an easy transition, and will provide free transportation from the hospital to our site. And if a health setback should arise unexpectedly, just know we are always here to help.”

While there are many resources in

Jodi Freeman Roper & Sons - Headshot

Jodi Freeman
Roper & Sons

town for senior that are fairly straightforward in what they have to offer, others that are incredibly helpful can be found in places you may not expect. For example, Jodi Freeman of Roper & Sons explains, “Roper & Sons Funeral Home is more than just a place for funerals. We offer several community outreach seminars, many of which involve both physical and emotional health. At our monthly Topic Breakfast, held on the third Thursday of each month, there is a topic for everyone. These breakfasts are free, and everyone is welcome to attend. Some recent health-related speakers included a personal coach/counselor and a nutrition, wellness, and fitness counselor. We also host an annual health fair that allows people to visit with a number of different health and wellness businesses. You can learn more about upcoming events on our website, or contact me if you are interested in speaking.”

As for having all of the important items in place, she offers the following advice, “No matter your age or health, it is always important to have your financial and healthcare affairs in order. Name a Power of Attorney (POA) for finances and healthcare, have an asset management plan in place for finances and personal items, ensure that your loved ones know your wishes for healthcare and end of life, and pre-arrange your funeral services, including payment. There are great tools available for planning, but I always advise reviewing those plans with an attorney to ensure that they will hold up in a court should they ever be challenged. Ensure that your POAs are someone you trust implicitly to make the best decisions on your behalf, and that your loved ones know who that person is, especially if he or she is not a family member.

Of course, these plans should include your final funeral arrangements. Thinking of your own death, and making final arrangements can be a little daunting, but our Family Service Counselor is here to make the process much easier. Think of pre-arranging your wishes as a final gift you can leave for your loved ones, to ease their burdens at an emotional time.

I can’t stress enough the importance of having your estate, insurance, healthcare, and end of life plans in place, regardless of your age or health. Communication with loved ones, while you are still able, is very important. All too often, major illness or death occurs unexpectedly, and loved ones are left at a complete loss emotionally and financially. Even in the closest of families, emotional turmoil can cause stress and anxiety. When plans are in place, turmoil is lessened to a great extent. There are many wonderful professionals in Lincoln who can help with all aspects of planning and communication – all you need to do is ask!”

Jenny Cownie Legacy Retirement Communities - Headshot

Jenny Cownie
Legacy Retirement Communities

Jenny Cownie of Legacy Retirement Communities also emphasizes the fact that “It’s important to know all of your options ahead of time so you can make sound decisions based off of reason instead of waiting for a crisis.” As such, she advises, “For seniors, it is very valuable to discuss your plans and desires for the future with a designated family member or desired representative. There are several key documents needed and frankly can be very critical in emergency situations. For instance, if a family member cannot locate important documents like tax returns or bank account information, it could delay or even cause the senior to be denied benefits like Medicaid or VA benefits. Make sure you have important legal documents in place like durable health power-of-attorney or advanced-health-care-directive so that if you do find yourself with declining health conditions, you have someone you trust making decisions that would be in your best interest. When it comes time to move, do so before a crisis if at all possible, allowing you to enjoy all that your retirement living choice has to offer.

Everyone is different, but in most cases, we would fit at the beginning of someone’s retirement living journey with independent living. We then transition our residents into assisted living or memory care as needed. Memory care can oftentimes be a struggle for folks, especially when it comes to finding a good fit for a loved one. At Legacy Arbors, we offer enhanced support through a computer system called It’s Never 2 Late, or IN2L for short. IN2L has improved the quality of our residents through active engagement with the person-centered technology and family connections with the family portal. It allows those with Alzheimer’s or dementia to engage through the senses, engaging in activities like ‘popping’ bubbles on the touchscreen or ‘cycling through’ a redwood forest via stationary bike pedals. Residents can also Skype with family members, allowing them to stay connected.

Socialization can make an incredible difference in someone’s health. Studies consistently show that staying socially active is as important to our health as eating well and exercising. As we age, it can be hard to keep social. Retirement communities offer a wide variety of social and enriching activities that promote interaction within your own community. It is a benefit that people don’t realize can be incredibly important.

At Legacy Retirement Communities, we provide social events to promote the health and wellness of our residents and the community of Lincoln. We kicked off our summer events in May and these will go until September. It’s an easy and friendly way to experience our communities. You can enjoy the sights and sounds (and food!) of Legacy Retirement Communities. Our Signature Events include our Capital City Culinary Classics, offering a variety of popular classics from Lincoln’s favorite restaurants, our Chef Showcase which includes cooking live cooking demonstrations from our culinary team and our Terrace Town Carnival which is fun for all ages, offering fair-style eats along with carnival games, pony rides and more. Sprinkled in throughout the summer as well are our Patio Parties where visitors can enjoy delicious drinks and appetizers while enjoying live music in our beautiful garden patios. All of the dates are available on our website!”

Amy Fish Lancaster Rehabilitation Center - Headshot

Amy Fish
Lancaster Rehabilitation Center

In conclusion, “The key is to have a healthy mind, body, and spirit,” echoes Amy Fish of Lancaster Rehabilitation Center. “The overall health care continuum continues to expand for everyone, including seniors. Services are now available for both long- and short-term needs. Asking for simple assistance early will allow you to stay as independent for as long as possible. Simple things like chore services, Meals on Wheels, or assistance with transportation are all beneficial services that help seniors retain their independence. It’s important for seniors to take advantage of assistance they may need or intermittent respite care for a spouse or loved one. Seniors deserve to take full advantage of the benefits or programs for which they may qualify.

There are many resources and checklists available on about every subject you might have a question as it relates to services for seniors. The guiding information I would share with seniors and their adult children is to identify and define their priorities when evaluating skilled care nursing settings. Beyond the checklists that Medicare or others may provide, tour the facilities in advance, and listen to your gut. Evaluate the environment, gather a better understanding of the services provided, and then decide if it fits your personal preference. I always suggest to adult children to know in advance the insurance coverage benefits their parents may be participating in, and how to access those benefits should they become incapacitated. Know and understand the limitations based on the provider’s participation with programs such as Medicaid, VA, and/or Medicare. That information will help narrow decision making.

It is very important to start the conversation and planning before it is needed. Adult children should take the time to engage in conversation regarding the future care needs of their parents or elderly loved ones. Often, when something unexpected happens, we’ll find that those now making decisions on behalf of elders are unaware of things like insurance policies, care directives, or how to manage their affairs in the interim of their recovery. Research in advance the many options for care. Know and understand what is important regarding their preferences for social, spiritual, and clinical care. Also, rely on the expertise of others to help guide the decision-making process. Don’t be afraid to ask plenty of questions in order to ensure you have all the facts. Focus on the most critical decisions first, knowing that there is plenty of help available.”

Specifically regarding the services offered at Lancaster Rehabilitation, she notes, “We are proud to serve the skilled nursing needs for our community and state. As the leading provider of post-acute cardiac care, we will assist patients with the transition to home following an acute cardiac trauma or surgery. Lancaster Rehabilitation Center partners with both the CHI Saint Elizabeth and Nebraska Heart Hospital Continuum of Care Network, and the Bryan Health Cross-setting work group to ensure an exceptional patient care experience. In addition, through the services provided on our traditional long-term care and dementia neighborhoods, we strive to help seniors and their adult children by providing a caring, compassionate home for their loved ones. We are proud of our top notch clinicians and our friendly team of caregivers who provide professional care 24 hours a day.

The team at Lancaster Rehabilitation Center can serve as a resource for any long-term, memory support, or short stay rehabilitation needs. Community members are welcome to contact us anytime with questions. We’re here to help!”

Beth Friesen Oasis Senior Advisors - Headshot

Beth Friesen
Oasis Senior Advisors

Beth Friesen of Oasis Senior Advisors also provides the following guidance in closing: “Form a ‘Plan B.’ If your health is good now, start to think about what or where you might like to live when the time comes. Finding the right place means everything to the senior and their family and with so many options available, it’s difficult to know where to turn. Not only can I assist when it is time to find senior living accommodations, but I can connect families with the endless resources that are available all while providing the support and care that caregivers need. Families tell me over and over again, how much time and stress I saved them as well as how much confidence they had that they were truly doing the right thing for their loved one.

Also, bear in mind that waiting until you think you should move is often too late. If you are in an environment with social interaction, nutrition services and a safety net of medical resources available at the touch of a button, it can prevent many injuries and illnesses which decrease quality of life. Most people are surprised and delighted to learn that most of these places are fabulous! Contact me and I will arrange the tours and then you can move when the time is right!”

As you can see, Lincoln is resource-rich when it comes to health and wellness partners for seniors. Supporting the various needs of seniors in our community, we encourage you to connect with them to learn more well before you may need them.