Advance care planning: Start the conversation this holiday season

Health & Well-being

Advance care planning: Start the conversation this holiday season

Many of us put off the things in life that we know we should do, including advance care planning.

Health & Well-being

Senior suicide prevention

Seniors commonly talk about the end of life.

Health & Well-being

Start exercising to prevent falls

Exercise is one of the key ways older adults can help prevent falls. A simple routine in your home can help you decrease your risk, gain strength and stay mobile.

Health & Well-being

Reduce the risk of falling with strength and mobility

Podcast: Physical therapist advises seniors to exercise and keep their homes safe

Health & Well-being

4 tips for making the most of physical therapy

As you begin your rehab therapy journey, Gina Meister, a physical therapist for the Good Samaritan Society, has four tips to keep in mind.

Health & Well-being

Speech therapy: a crucial part of recovery

Speech-language pathologists at the Good Samaritan Society help those who have experienced a stroke, brain injury, early cognitive decline, voice changes or side effects from medication.

Health & Well-being

Five chair exercises to help you become stronger

If you’re a senior who wants to improve your health, the Good Samaritan Society has five seated chair exercises that will help you become stronger and more mobile.

Health & Well-being

Talking to your spouse about senior living

No matter your age, it’s never too early to start talking with your spouse about your wishes, desires and needs as you approach the empty nest years and retirement age.

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Vaccinations help older adults stay stronger for longer

Podcast: Immunization, education efforts among residents and staff lead to less illness

Health & Well-being

Alleviating arthritis pain

Arthritis doesn’t have to limit you. Staying active can help lessen your pain, swelling, stiffness and limited range of motion. Find out which exercises are recommended.

Health & Well-being

Embracing functional fitness: A guide for seniors

Functional fitness isn’t a traditional gym workout. The movements mimic everyday activities to help seniors maintain mobility, independence and quality of life. Learn the importance of these moves for help with everyday activities and healthy aging.

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What seniors need to know about cataracts

If your vision gets so cloudy that it’s hard to see, you may have a cataract. Cataracts are most common in older adults. Fortunately, surgery is quick and effective.

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Independent living at the Good Samaritan Society is an upgrade

The Good Samaritan Society is ready to help you enjoy a life that's maintenance-free. Independent living options at the Society bring services that fit the unique needs of every resident.

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How to build friendships in your senior years

Simply put, friendships make our lives more fulfilling – no matter how old we are. Here are her tips for building friendships in a senior living community.

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Are non-medical services right for my family?

If this sounds familiar, non-medical home care services may be what you're looking for.

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Depression in seniors

Depression is not a normal or inevitable result of aging, and the warning signs should not be ignored.

Health & Well-being

You’ve just had a stroke — now what?

A dropped coffee mug. A blinding headache. A stumble on the stairs. You could just be having a bad day. Or you could be having a stroke.

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When it comes to a stroke, timing is everything

Where your health is concerned, knowledge is power.

Health & Well-being

Hospice care at home

People who need hospice services can receive care from the comfort of home. The Good Samaritan Society’s hospice teams travel to long-term care centers, assisted living residences and anywhere else patients live.

Health & Well-being

Tips for visiting someone in hospice

If your loved one recently became a hospice patient, you might wonder how you can be supportive. Mary Wohl, a social worker with Good Samaritan Society – Home Health & Hospice in Nisswa, Minnesota, offers several tips.

Health & Well-being

Occupational therapy offers practical support

There are many tasks that people perform every day to give their lives structure and meaning. When someone struggles to do daily tasks independently, it can impact how they view themselves and the world around them. When this happens, occupational therapy can help reclaim that meaning.

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Preventing dehydration in older adults

By the time a person is thirsty, they’re probably already dehydrated. And dehydration in older adults can happen even more quickly than in younger people.

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What is cardiac rehab?

Cardiac rehab programs help people who have heart disease or those who have experienced a heart attack or had heart surgery.

Health & Well-being

Healthy nutrition tips for seniors

It’s never too late to focus on better nutrition, and it’s especially important for seniors.

Health & Well-being

Rehab therapy customizes patient care

When you or a loved one finds it more challenging to complete daily tasks or you’re struggling to find the strength or motivation to do them, it may be a good time to look at rehabilitation therapy.

Health & Well-being

Nine ways to lead a heart healthy lifestyle

In the United States, heart disease is the leading cause of death. And while it can affect people at any age, older adults are more at risk. Luckily, there are steps you can take right now to start lowering your risk.

Health & Well-being

Seasonal Affective Disorder in seniors

Seasonal affective disorder or SAD is a form of depression that typically occurs during the fall and winter months when there is less natural sunlight. While SAD can impact individuals of all ages, seniors and women can be more prone to feel its impact.

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Physical therapy provides help for those with osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a disease that weakens bones, resulting in an increased chance of fractures. The older you get, the greater the risk of developing it – especially for women.

Health & Well-being

Meaningful activities, a homelike setting promote quality of life

Residents can happily lose track of time when they’re gardening or tinkering with a fishing boat. Giving them the space and opportunity to be absorbed in new or lifelong hobbies is one way that the Good Samaritan Society makes sure residents get to do what’s meaningful to them.

Health & Well-being

Understanding glaucoma

Glaucoma is an eye disease that can cause vision loss and blindness due to damage of the optic nerve. Learn more about the symptoms, causes, treatment options and tips to protect your vision.

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What staff members need to know about family caregivers

Family members and friends who are responsible for looking after and helping their loved ones are an extremely valuable part of the care team for Good Samaritan Society residents living in long-term care.

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LSVT treatment is the best option for those with Parkinson’s

The gold standard for Parkinson’s treatment is LSVT LOUD and LSVT BIG. It trains patients to use a stronger, louder voice and move their body more regularly.

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The holiday blues and your senior patients

The most wonderful time of the year may not be so wonderful this holiday season for your older adult patients. There are several factors that lead to holiday-related depression.

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How caregivers and older adults can cope with holiday stress

Many caregivers and older adults struggle with stress during the holidays. Find strategies for coping with the stress of the season here.

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A catalyst for innovation – right in our own backyard

Over the past few years, the Good Samaritan Society has identified and implemented opportunities with parent company Sanford Health that include new care delivery models for residents and clients.

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The truth about hospice

Hospice, defined as “providing care for the sick or terminally ill,” is a seven-letter word that many think of as a four-letter word.

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The importance of advance care planning and directives

Advance directives are state-specific legal documents for communicating end-of-life and care wishes. Learn why it's important to create one and how to do so.

Health & Well-being

Alzheimer's and the holidays

Although the holidays are a time for rejoicing, this time of year can be stressful for those with Alzheimer's. Read how to make the holidays more comfortable for people with memory loss.

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Coping with grief

When someone you love dies, the grief can feel overwhelming. Take steps toward healing while remembering and honoring your loved one with these five strategies.

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Fall prevention is top of mind as risk increases for older adults

Whether you are at low, moderate or high risk for falls, the Good Samaritan Society’s locations have options to keep you on your feet.

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5 ways to overcome loneliness

Keeping a daily routine and serving others can help alleviate loneliness after the loss of a loved one. We have suggestions for overcoming loneliness, particularly for older adults.

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Caregiving for multiple sclerosis is a team effort

Battling fatigue, pain, vision loss and impaired coordination, all of which come with a multiple sclerosis diagnosis, is not easy.

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How do I pay for senior living?

Independent living or senior living communities are designed to make life a little simpler for healthy, active older adults.

Health & Well-being

5 common conditions supported by home health

People of all ages diagnosed with a variety of conditions can benefit from the Good Samaritan Society’s home health services. Clients receive high-quality medical care in the comfort of their home, avoiding an extended hospital stay or moving to a rehab center.

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Social connections provide health benefits for seniors

Your senior parents may be among the 43 percent of adults 60 and older who are lonely.

Health & Well-being

Warning signs and ways to manage stress

Feeling stressed? You’re not alone. Stress happens to everyone, and these days we have plenty of occasions to feel it.

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The Good Samaritan - none other than Jesus himself

March 13 marks Good Samaritan Day – a fitting time for the Good Samaritan Society to celebrate our namesake.

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Questions to ask when looking for a rehab therapy program

If you’ve been hospitalized for a surgery or illness, you’ll likely need follow-up rehabilitation therapy to help you recover.

Health & Well-being

A healthy diet: Your first line of defense against disease

Heart disease. Cancer. Diabetes. If only there were an easy way to protect yourself — some simple thing you could pop in your mouth to help ward off these and other health worries.

Health & Well-being

Heart & vascular screenings: What’s the difference?

There is a difference in the two screenings, but both are important to your health.

Health & Well-being

Staying social is important at every age

As you age, staying socially active can help support your physical, emotional and mental health.

Health & Well-being

Aromatherapy enhances the well-being of seniors

Aromatherapy is good for the mind, body and soul and it’s used regularly at Good Samaritan Society – Specialty Care Community in the Twin Cities.

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5 ways to stay active as you age

Strength training counteracts muscle loss over time.

Health & Well-being

5 things to consider when choosing home health services

Choosing home health services for yourself or someone you love is a big decision, but considering these five things can help you make the right choice.

Health & Well-being

9 ways to make exercise fun

Are you intimidated by exercise? Don’t be.

Health & Well-being

8 tips to avoid caregiver burnout

Caring for a loved one can take a financial, emotional and physical toll. Here are suggestions on how to prevent caregiver burnout.

Health & Well-being

Tips to prevent memory loss

Prevent memory loss by giving your brain a workout. Find a list of easy activities you can do to stimulate and engage different parts of your brain.

Health & Well-being

What to do when your loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s

No one wants to hear a loved one has received a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or related dementia.

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What you need to know about Alzheimer’s disease

Nearly everyone knows someone who has been affected by Alzheimer's disease.

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It’s not always Alzheimer’s disease

Not everyone who has dementia has Alzheimer’s disease.

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Do I need advance care planning?

Not sure if you need to outline your healthcare preferences and end-of-life wishes?

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How do you know if you’re a caregiver?

You check the mail for Mom since you're already at the post office.

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What to expect in therapy

You’re recovering from an illness, a fall, surgery or a stroke, and you need a little help getting back to full strength.

Health & Well-being

Providing quality care for 100 years

For the last century, the Good Samaritan Society has been committed to providing an unprecedented level of quality service to ensure our residents are safe and cared for.

Health & Well-being

Seeking caregiver support is a matter of health

Finding support is crucial if you’re caring for a loved one. It’s one of the best things you can do for your well-being. Learn more.

Health & Well-being

6 items every nursing home resident should have

Is your loved one moving to a nursing home? Bring these six meaningful personal items to help them feel more comfortable in their new space.

Health & Well-being

Responsibilities of a caregiver

If you’re stepping into a caregiver role for your loved one, learn everything you need to know and explore the caregiver support resources available to you.

Health & Well-being

Navigating the many scenarios of caregiving

Read through common scenarios faced by caregivers as well as links to services we provide if you find yourself in any of these situations.

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The positive impacts of caregiving

Caregiving is an opportunity to help the people you love. It can enrich your life and fill you with a sense of purpose.

Health & Well-being

Long-distance caregiving brings unique challenges

Caregiving from a distance can be complicated. Whether the task is big or small, helping from a distance adds layers of complexity to any task. But you're not alone.

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8 tips to ease into a caregiver role

The transition to becoming a caregiver can be gradual or sudden. If you have an aging parent, you should be prepared for either scenario.

Health & Well-being

Flu vaccines: Protect yourself and your family

Adults over the age of 65 are at an increased risk of serious flu complications. Your best defense is to get vaccinated. Learn more about the flu vaccine.

Health & Well-being

3 ways memory care should help

Becoming involved in a memory care program will help reduce daily living concerns.

Health & Well-being

How to talk to your doctor about depression

Not every doctor is attuned to their patients’ state of mind and depression is often overlooked in older adults. How do you recognize depression and talk to your doctor about it? Dr. Victoria Walker, chief medical officer of the Good Samaritan Society, offers some suggestions.

Health & Well-being

Parkinson’s disease: Coping after the diagnosis

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, find your next steps here. We’re here to offer guidance and support.

Health & Well-being

Not all memory loss is the same

Have you ever misplaced an item? Or forgotten an appointment, only to remember it when it was too late?

Health & Well-being

Don’t like meal planning or cooking? This system can help.

Don't like to cook? You're not alone.

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Rehab therapy and assisted living Q&A

We have answers to your top questions about rehab therapy and assisted living. Read more below.

Health & Well-being

Healthy eating habits critical to aging well [infographic]

Eating is an important part of life for the nutritional and social benefits it provides. Yet many seniors don’t eat very much because of sensory changes that happen with aging.

Health & Well-being

A Matter of Balance: What goes into fall prevention?

There’s no real debate on whether or not preventing a fall is a good idea. But what can people do to prevent them? What can people do to move around more confidently?

Health & Well-being

Caregiving for a loved one with dementia during a pandemic

Living through the crisis of a pandemic can be hard enough for the average person, let alone someone who has dementia.

Health & Well-being

Preventive screenings give insight into general health

There’s more to healthy living than good genes, good numbers, healthy weight and sound diet. Sanford Health, a Good Samaritan Society partner company, offers a multitude of preventive screenings that provide a more detailed look at your overall health.

Health & Well-being

Portion size an important piece of the nutritional puzzle [infographic]

When it comes to nutrition, how much you eat is just as important as what you eat.

Health & Well-being

Good Samaritan Society: Keep up with therapy and rehab

While the pandemic has put a halt to many aspects of our daily lives, it shouldn't stop your day-to-day care.

Health & Well-being

Exercise, social time can slow progression of Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer’s is a disease that robs those diagnosed of cherished memories.

Health & Well-being

The loneliness epidemic: Serious long-term health risks

Loneliness is serious. In fact, it’s so serious that it can lead to an early death.

Health & Well-being

It’s never too late to serve

Are you looking for opportunities to serve your community after retirement? Here are some ways that seniors can make a difference in others’ lives through Senior Corps programs.

Health & Well-being

Choosing your post-acute care provider

When your physician says you'll need rehabilitation following surgery, they are suggesting you seek out a service provider that fits your needs.

Health & Well-being

Hearing loss: Tips for better conversations [infographic]

Having a conversation with someone who has hearing loss can sometimes be difficult and frustrating. But there are things that you can do to ease these issues.

Health & Well-being

The healing power of music

In the video above, Megan Godfrey demonstrates a variety of music therapy styles. She says music therapy can be active — you and the therapist might sing, play instruments or write a song. Or it can be receptive — you listen, meditate or pray while the therapist makes music.

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Tips on cooking for one

Making meals for yourself presents challenges if you've always cooked for a family.

Health & Well-being

Filling the void: The gift of our volunteers [video]

I have 8-year-old twin boys, Jeremiah and Joshua. They look completely different from each other, and yes, they act completely different, too.

Health & Well-being

Preventing loneliness as you age [infographic]

Loneliness isn’t just a feeling. It can cause depression, anxiety, chronic pain, sleep problems and other health issues. But pursuing interests and being social can alleviate some of these concerns.

Health & Well-being

Seniors and smartphones: 9 handy apps

In the last few years, “app” has become a household word. But what exactly is an “app”?

Health & Well-being

Alzheimer’s disease: What is sundowning? [video]

Sundowning is a term that gets thrown around quite a bit in caregiver circles. It shows up in blogs, dementia training materials and casual conversation.

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‘The hardest and best decision I ever had to make’ [video]

It started out with some minor adjustments to their daily lives.

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How can Services@Home help me?

Services@Home focuses on your convenience.

Health & Well-being

Is your mom or dad at risk for malnutrition?

Why are older adults more likely to become malnourished?

Health & Well-being

What does an end-of-life care team do? [infographic]

At the Good Samaritan Society, a team of staff members with different skills works together to provide each resident with quality care at the end of life.