Senior Living Blog

🍂 Why Fall Is the Best Time to Move Into a Senior Living Community
Jonie Sturek Jonie Sturek

🍂 Why Fall Is the Best Time to Move Into a Senior Living Community

Discover why fall is the ideal season to transition into senior living. Learn how a Senior Living Advisor and designated Senior Real Estate Specialist can help you make a smooth, stress-free move before winter.

As the air turns crisp and the leaves begin to change, fall becomes more than just a beautiful season—it’s also one of the best times of year for seniors to make a move into a senior living community. From increased social opportunities to avoiding the stress of winter weather, the benefits of a fall move are plentiful.

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Recognizing the Signs of Caregiver Burnout — and When to Seek Support from a Senior Living Advisor
Jonie Sturek Jonie Sturek

Recognizing the Signs of Caregiver Burnout — and When to Seek Support from a Senior Living Advisor

Caring for an aging loved one can be one of the most meaningful roles you’ll ever have — but it can also be one of the most demanding. Many family caregivers begin with love and good intentions, yet over time, the emotional, physical, and mental toll can quietly lead to caregiver burnout. Recognizing the early signs is key to maintaining both your health and the quality of care your loved one receives

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How Seniors in Nebraska Can Finance Senior Living Care
Jonie Sturek Jonie Sturek

How Seniors in Nebraska Can Finance Senior Living Care

Transitioning into assisted living, memory care, or another senior living community is a big step—emotionally and financially. One of the most common concerns families face is: How do we pay for senior living care?

The good news is that there are several ways seniors in Nebraska can finance this transition, and with the help of a qualified Senior Living Advisor, families can better understand the options that fit their loved one’s unique situation.

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🌿 Finding Peace in Unsettling Times
Jonie Sturek Jonie Sturek

🌿 Finding Peace in Unsettling Times

he world feels heavy some days—whether it’s heartbreaking events in the news, unexpected tragedies, or natural disasters that shake our sense of safety. For seniors, these moments can feel especially overwhelming, stirring up anxiety, fear, or even memories of past hardships.

At Family Ties Senior Placement Services, we understand that while we can’t shield loved ones from the realities of the world, we can help them find comfort, peace, and stability during unsettling times. 💜

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The Silver Tsunami: What It Means for Seniors and Their Housing Options
Jonie Sturek Jonie Sturek

The Silver Tsunami: What It Means for Seniors and Their Housing Options

Over the next decade, our communities are preparing for a major shift known as the “Silver Tsunami.” This term describes the wave of Baby Boomers reaching retirement age—an unprecedented surge in the senior population. By 2030, every Baby Boomer will be over the age of 65, which means millions of families will be making important decisions about healthcare, downsizing, and where to live.

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A Family’s Unexpected Journey: Compassion, Community, and Caregiver Self-Care
Jonie Sturek Jonie Sturek

A Family’s Unexpected Journey: Compassion, Community, and Caregiver Self-Care

Emma Heming Willis’s story is a powerful reminder that caregivers—often unrecognized—carry incredible emotional weight. Through her honesty, advocacy, and resilience, she reminds us that compassion isn’t just for those we care for—it’s equally vital for ourselves. If you’re reading this as a caregiver, take that first step: reach out, rest, reflect, and remember—you are not alone.

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Helping Seniors Feel at Home Again: How We Support Transitions into Senior Living
Jonie Sturek Jonie Sturek

Helping Seniors Feel at Home Again: How We Support Transitions into Senior Living

Recently, we were featured in the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging’s New Horizons magazine, offering insight into how to make this move less overwhelming and more empowering for aging adults and their loved ones. It’s a subject that touches so many families—and one we take to heart every day. Read it here: https://issuu.com/newhorizonsomaha/docs/new_horizons_august_2025

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How Our Partnerships Make Senior Living Easy! One Call and We Handle it All! ☎️
Jonie Sturek Jonie Sturek

How Our Partnerships Make Senior Living Easy! One Call and We Handle it All! ☎️

Family Ties Senior Placement Services & Welcome Home Team @ Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate

Making a move later in life can feel overwhelming — but you don’t have to do it alone. That’s why Family Ties Senior Placement Services has partnered with the Welcome Home Team @ BH&G to offer complete, compassionate support for seniors and their families. Senior living made easy with our senior living advisors!

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Safe Celebrations this 4th of July for Those Impacted by Dementia
Jonie Sturek Jonie Sturek

Safe Celebrations this 4th of July for Those Impacted by Dementia

The Fourth of July is a time of memory—both collective and personal. While your loved one’s connection to fireworks may be different now, they can still feel included, safe, and loved. With thoughtful environmental planning, gentle reassurance, personalized distraction, and engagement with caring professionals, the holiday becomes comforting rather than stressful.

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The Growing Trend of Residential Assisted Living (RAL): Why a Home-Style Setting is a Game-Changer for Seniors
Jonie Sturek Jonie Sturek

The Growing Trend of Residential Assisted Living (RAL): Why a Home-Style Setting is a Game-Changer for Seniors

n recent years, we’ve witnessed an exciting shift in senior care — one that prioritizes comfort, intimacy, and personalized attention. Enter Residential Assisted Living (RAL) communities. These smaller, home-like settings have become an increasingly popular choice for seniors who need a little extra help but don’t want to live in a large, community-style facility.

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💙 This Father’s Day: Honoring Dad While Navigating Dementia & Alzheimer’s 💙
Jonie Sturek Jonie Sturek

💙 This Father’s Day: Honoring Dad While Navigating Dementia & Alzheimer’s 💙

Father’s Day is a special time to celebrate the men who helped shape our lives. Whether he taught you how to ride a bike, balance a budget, or show up when it matters—Dad has always been a steady presence. But for many families, this Father’s Day brings mixed emotions as they begin to notice changes in their father’s memory, behavior, or ability to manage day-to-day life.

If you’ve started to see signs that something may be “off,” it could be more than just normal aging. Dementia and Alzheimer’s affect men differently than women, and early detection can make all the difference.

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10 Things I Wish I Knew When My Loved One Was Diagnosed with Dementia
Jonie Sturek Jonie Sturek

10 Things I Wish I Knew When My Loved One Was Diagnosed with Dementia

When someone you love is diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s, it’s more than a medical moment—it’s a life-changing pivot. The questions are overwhelming, the fears are real, and suddenly you find yourself navigating a confusing path with no clear map. I started Family Ties Senior Placements to support families during this exact moment—and I want you to know, you’re not alone. Looking back, here are the 10 things I wish I had known when our family first heard the words “Dementia” and “Alzheimer’s”

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Which Senior Living Option Is Right for Your Mom or Dad?
Jonie Sturek Jonie Sturek

Which Senior Living Option Is Right for Your Mom or Dad?

When the time comes to explore senior living options for your aging parent, it can be emotional, confusing, and overwhelming all at once. How do you know what kind of care they need? What’s the difference between independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing?

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How Long Does It Take to Adjust to Senior Living? Tips for a Smooth Transition
Jonie Sturek Jonie Sturek

How Long Does It Take to Adjust to Senior Living? Tips for a Smooth Transition

Moving into a senior living community is a major life change. For many seniors—and their families—the transition brings a mix of emotions: relief, anxiety, and even grief over leaving a longtime home. One of the most common questions we hear is, “How long will it take for my loved one to feel comfortable in their new environment?”

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When to Step In vs. When to Step Back: Navigating the Balance Between Help and Independence for Aging Loved Ones
Jonie Sturek Jonie Sturek

When to Step In vs. When to Step Back: Navigating the Balance Between Help and Independence for Aging Loved Ones

As our parents and loved ones age, we often find ourselves walking a tightrope—balancing our instinct to protect them with our respect for their independence. At Family Ties Senior Placement Services, we frequently hear the same question: “When should I intervene, and when should I let my loved one continue making their own decisions?”

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When They Ask to Go Home: Supporting Your Loved One After Moving to Assisted Living or Memory Care
Jonie Sturek Jonie Sturek

When They Ask to Go Home: Supporting Your Loved One After Moving to Assisted Living or Memory Care

When a loved one transitions into assisted living or memory care, it’s a major life change — not just for them, but for the entire family. Even if the move was made for safety, health, or peace of mind, it’s completely natural for seniors to experience confusion, sadness, or longing for the familiar. One of the most heart-wrenching moments families often face is when a loved one repeatedly says, “I want to go home.” What can you say to help them feel better?

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