Orchid Senior Advisors, 2919 ASHEBROOKE Drive NE, Atlanta, GA (2025)

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.

08/29/2025

I help families find the right senior living communities for their loved ones. Occasionally, I hear what I can only describe as a nightmare scenario: A loved one has been hospitalized, then transferred to a rehab facility—where they're suddenly told they need to sign papers for Medicaid to cover a long-term stay.

What many people don’t realize is that applying for Medicaid often means turning over all personal assets to the state. It also typically limits future care options to nursing homes, excluding many other better-suited alternatives. And unfortunately, many families don’t know there are more affordable—and often much nicer—options available.

Nursing homes are expensive because they have medical doctors and registered nurses on staff 24 x7. Even people with extensive mobility issues or advanced dementia don't usually need that. They mostly need a lot of personal care from caregivers, proving what professionals call "activities of daily living."

There are plenty of Assisted Living and Memory Care communities designed to provide care in these situations for thousands of dollars less each month.

To be clear, most rehab facilities do not pressure patients into Medicare. However, If you or a loved one are feeling pressured to sign something you don't understand, do some research. And call me so we can explore some options. My services are free and might save your loved one from a costly mistake.

08/22/2025

How do Super Agers do it?

Super Agers are people who live significantly longer than most with a high quality of life. Unlike most people their age, studies of their brains show little to no signs of Alzheimer's or shrinking. A recent study of Super Agers identified one quality these people of diverse backgrounds tend to share. They remained socially active through their senior years. They retained the skill sets that helped them meet new people and they were motivated to spend time with their friends.

I help families find senior communities. Many of my clients realize it's time to move to a community after you start to get isolated in your home and the signs of dementia appear. This study shows that the right time to move is before isolation occurs. Getting into an Independent community where it's easy to socialize keeps your brain healthier and helps you maintain a good quality of life significantly longer. It's what a Super Ager would do.

Orchid Senior Advisors

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