Orchid Senior Advisors, 2919 ASHEBROOKE Drive NE, Atlanta, GA (2026)

01/09/2026

I help people find senior communities and many people I talk to are surprised to find out my service is free. I get a referral fee from the communities when my clients move in. Almost all communities give a standard referral fee so I'm free to recommend whatever is a good fit. However, the communities only give me that referral fee if I am the person who make the initial call to them and give them your name.

This means you should decide if you want to use my search service before getting started. I can still help If you looked at one or two communities, but not if you have already launched a full search. Using my service will not prevent you from touring a community you are interested in, but I usually know a lot more about its reputation and resident experience. I check state records for Assisted Living and Memory Care and I personally tour them. Not every community is a fit in every situation so I spend a lot of time with my clients to understand what they need. I narrow down the options to the ones that make the most sense and guide you through the entire process. And I only ask that you let me make the first call.

Not every search service goes to those lengths, so it's also important to make sure you don't begin working with a service that won't go the extra mile for you. If they spray your name to all the communities in the Metro area, you could lock yourself out of working with someone who could be helpful.

If you or someone you know is thinking about starting a search and are not sure where to start, just schedule a call with me. You give yourself a lot more options than if you try to go it alone.

01/02/2026

Christmas is over, but a movie we watched on the day has got me thinking. In Arthur Christmas, the current Santa has slowed down and is supposed to retire and pass on the job to his very capable son. But he won't. He asks his wife "Who will I be?"

I help people find senior communities and spend a lot of time talking to them about what their retirement has been like. The question of identity really cuts to a common problem with seniors. This stage of life can require a good bit of reinvention, but we don't prepare people for that. And popular culture doesn't give them examples of retirement with a purpose or as an active member of a community. There are opportunities out there, but seniors need to search them out. They also need to be willing to try new things and meet new people.

At the end of the movie, the older Santa takes up Salsa dancing with Mrs. Clause. What a great lesson.

12/19/2025

What is a great gift for the senior in your life? Your time. As they age, the options change but the goal doesn't-Make them feel special with some one on one time.

However, it can be hard to carve out time to go do something fun when it seems like every visit is spent trying to fix something in the house. I run a free service helping people find senior communities for their parents. Many of my clients tell me the best part of getting mom or dad settled in a community is that they finally can spend quality time with them. Instead of getting caught up in home maintenance, they go and see a movie. Or go get their nails done. Lately, my daughter and I have been taking my mother to a local bakery for coffee and a pastry.

If taking care of the house is starting to take up too much of everyone's time, give me a call in the new year. Let's see if we can get everyone back to enjoying time together doing the things that matter most.

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12/12/2025

Trust your instincts. As the New Year approaches, you might be wondering if it's time to encourage your parent(s) to move out of their house. They have already told you that they are fine, but you are not so sure. If you are noticing some strange workarounds to managing the household, you can be sure that there is a lot you are not seeing.

I offer a free service to help people find senior communities and coach them through the process. Every situation is different, but the longer you wait to deal with it, the harder it gets. Reach out to me if you are not sure how to push the conversation to the next step.

12/05/2025

I run a free service helping people find senior communities. Many of my client's families tell me they first realized it was time to look at a move to a senior community when everyone got together for the holidays. It's a great time to take stock of how aging parents are doing.

Really look at how they are maintaining their house, get a gauge on how frequently they are cooking, and figure out how often they spend time with good friends. They may not realize they are slipping in those areas, especially if it happened gradually. Or they may be trying to shield you from the fact that they are struggling.

If you notice problems in these areas, start making plans to address them now. Better yet, call and schedule a conversation with me. I can help you put together a game plan, even if you don't think your parents are going to be excited to face the issue. Things won't get better on their own, so don't put it off.

11/21/2025

I help people find senior communities and occasionally I'll have people tell me they think the stairs in their house are good exercise. While that might be true, they are also a big risk for seniors. Bodies change quickly when you get older. A small injury that causes you to change how much you walk and exercise can make a fast change in your strength and balance. Stairs that were easy to handle one month ago could become dangerous before you realize it. And seniors with any amount of dementia, cardiovascular issues, or frailty can have a hard time recovering from those falls.

It's important for seniors to find a living space without stairs before they begin to worry about them. This can be a meaningful step toward protecting their health and preserving their independence.

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11/07/2025

Unless you are living under a rock, you know that the sport of Pickleball is spreading like wildfire. It's attracting people of every generation, demographic, and skill level. One thing I love about Pickleball is how people who never defined themselves as athletes suddenly can't get enough of it. They have discovered that taking away that label has opened up whole new possibilities.

This idea of becoming someone you didn't think you were is really inspiring. I help people find senior communities and many of my clients tell me that they "are not an exerciser." So many studies have shown that older people who exercise regularly have lower rates of dementia and a higher quality of life, but they don't see that as an option for themselves. They stuck this label on themselves long ago, and believe that it can't change.

It always tickles me when I follow up with one of those clients and find out that they have become active after moving into a community. One client found her stride joining a walking club with her friends. At first, she just didn't want to be left out. After a while she realized she liked it. Another found themselves entranced with the large chair volleyball competition in the main hall. She was so focused, it didn't feel like exercise. Another noticed how excited others were getting about a lively water aerobics class with fun music. She eventually found herself putting on a bathing suit twice a week.

You never know what you will discover when you shed that label you've given yourself. It's never too late.

10/31/2025

I help people find senior communities so I talk to a lot of people about the journey of aging. It is clear that most people hope to be what we call Super Agers, people who live a long time with a high quality of life.

So what type of person is a Super Ager? They’re not easily categorized. Super Agers come from many different backgrounds, geographies, and economic situations. But one thing they almost always have in common is how socially active they are. Not only do they invest time in building strong relationships, but they seek out ways to meet and talk with new people. They make a conscious effort to stay engaged and connected with others.

We all hope to be these Super Agers when we get older, but it takes intention and effort. My father was always very good at finding groups to join whether it was Bridge groups or golf foursomes, and managed to find new groups when his friends moved away. But even he experienced isolation at eventually when it started getting harder to get around. Moving to a senior community gave him the chance to engage with others again the way he had in the past.

A rich social life in our later years doesn’t come from luck—it comes from vigilance. We have to keep showing up, reaching out, and saying yes to new experiences. The more intentional we are about staying connected, the more likely we are to age with vitality and purpose.

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10/24/2025

I help people find senior communities for their loved ones. Last week I posted about how you need a number of different kinds of social interactions for longevity. One of those is cognitive stimulation, which comes from challenging your mind to do something new. This isn't just about getting a new skill. It also includes interacting with people we don't know.

As we age, those opportunities don’t come as easily. Work no longer puts us in situations that push us to meet new people, and our social circles often narrow rather than expand.

My clients often have a lot of anxiety about moving to a community because they are worried about being around an unfamiliar group of people. But that discomfort isn’t a reason to avoid the move. It’s actually a reason to embrace it. That uneasy feeling is your brain’s way of telling you it’s getting a healthy workout.

Change may feel uncomfortable at first, but like exercise, the discomfort means you are doing something good for yourself.

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10/17/2025

I help families find the right senior living communities for their loved ones and often provide education on the vital role social connection plays in healthy aging. Today, there is no question that meaningful social engagement is essential as we get older. It's a key factor in maintaining a high quality of life, and also for preventing depression and dementia.

Recent research shows that it’s not just the presence of social interactions that matters, but the variety of those interactions. Different types of connections stimulate different aspects of mental and emotional well-being:

Emotional Support – These are deeper, more intimate conversations, typically with someone you trust and feel closely connected to. They help foster a sense of belonging and emotional stability.

Cognitive Stimulation – Engaging with people you don’t know well or learning something new challenges your brain and sharpens communication skills.

Care During a Crisis – Simply knowing someone will be there for you in times of need can significantly reduce stress and provide peace of mind.

Encouragement for Healthy Habits – -Accountability and support are key motivators to keep you eating better and exercising.

The key takeaway is this: social connection is not just a box to check occasionally for seniors. It has to be integrated into their everyday life so it is a cornerstone of overall health. By surrounding our aging loved ones with a rich and stimulating social life, we can help them thrive.

09/12/2025

Last week, I shared a study showing that just 35 minutes of vigorous exercise a week can reduce the risk of dementia by more than 40%. I help people find senior communities, and many of my clients tell me they’ve become more active after moving into one. Even something as simple as walking down the hall to the dining room gets them moving more than they did when living in a house.

When my mother lived in an Independent Living community, her apartment was on the opposite side of the community from the lobby and dining area. Over time, I think she began to enjoy that daily walk to dinner—and the consistent movement really improved her overall health.

Did you know that most senior communities also offer exercise classes? Many even have physical therapists on staff who lead sessions multiple times a week. When you’re living alone, it can be hard to stay motivated to exercise. But having scheduled classes or a physical therapy session makes it more social and fun. It also makes you more accountable.

If you have a senior loved one still living at home and not getting the physical activity they need, it might be time to give me a call.

09/05/2025

Earlier this year, Johns Hopkins released the results of a compelling study on dementia. Researchers analyzed fitness tracker data from 90,000 individuals and found that those who engaged in just 35 minutes of vigorous exercise per week were over 40% less likely to develop dementia. Even more strikingly, increased exercise levels pushed that risk reduction to over 60%. Importantly, the study included seniors categorized as "frail." According to the lead author, “This suggests that even frail or nearly frail older adults might be able to reduce their dementia risk through low-dose exercise.”

Too often, people feel that if they lack energy or strength, exercise won’t make a meaningful difference. But this study shows that pushing yourself for as little as 12 minutes a day, three times a week, can have a profound impact on your long-term health and quality of life.

The takeaway is clear: If you are looking for the easiest way to cut down on your dementia risk, get moving.

Orchid Senior Advisors

01/09/2026

01/02/2026

12/19/2025

12/12/2025

12/05/2025

11/21/2025

11/07/2025

10/31/2025

10/24/2025

10/17/2025

09/12/2025

09/05/2025

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