Senior Living Blog

💙 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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Planning Ahead: Understanding Long-Term Care Insurance for Senior Living
Jonie Sturek Jonie Sturek

Planning Ahead: Understanding Long-Term Care Insurance for Senior Living

As our loved ones age—or as we plan for our own futures—one of the most important conversations we can have is about long-term care. Many people assume health insurance or Medicare will cover the cost of assisted living, memory care, or skilled nursing—but that’s not always the case. That’s where long-term care (LTC) insurance can help.

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Medicare vs. Medicaid: What’s the Difference & How a Senior Living Advisor Can Help
Jonie Sturek Jonie Sturek

Medicare vs. Medicaid: What’s the Difference & How a Senior Living Advisor Can Help

When planning for senior care, one of the most common sources of confusion is the difference between Medicare and Medicaid. Though they sound similar, they serve very different purposes—especially when it comes to long-term care.

At Family Ties Senior Placement Services, we believe informed families make confident decisions. Let’s break down the basics and explore how a Senior Living Advisor can guide you toward the right care—especially when Medicaid comes into play.

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Join us Wednesday - Learning How to Prevent Falls in Seniors
Jonie Sturek Jonie Sturek

Join us Wednesday - Learning How to Prevent Falls in Seniors

At Family Ties Senior Placement Services, we know that caring for a loved one with dementia comes with unique challenges. That’s why we’re excited to invite you to our next Forget-Me-Not’s Dementia Support Group this Wednesday at 2:30 PM at the Jewish Community Center. This monthly gathering offers a compassionate space to share experiences, gain valuable insights, and connect with others navigating similar journeys.

This week, we’re honored to welcome Kayla Nelson from True North Home Care, who will be speaking about a critical issue for those with cognitive decline: fall prevention. Falls are one of the leading causes of injury and hospitalization among seniors, and for those with dementia, the risks are even greater. A simple fall can lead to devastating consequences.

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When Is It Time to Take Away the Car Keys? A Compassionate Guide for Families
Jonie Sturek Jonie Sturek

When Is It Time to Take Away the Car Keys? A Compassionate Guide for Families

For many seniors, driving represents independence, freedom, and control over their lives. It’s how they visit friends, run errands, and stay active in their communities. However, there comes a time when driving may no longer be safe—both for them and for others on the road.

At Family Ties Senior Placement Services, we understand how difficult this conversation can be. Taking away the car keys isn’t just about limiting mobility; it’s about preserving dignity while prioritizing safety. So how do you know when it’s time, and how can you make the transition smoother?

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Where to Start: A Checklist for Medicaid Senior Housing in Nebraska

Where to Start: A Checklist for Medicaid Senior Housing in Nebraska

Finding the right senior housing for a loved one is an emotional and logistical challenge—but you don’t have to do it alone. At Family Ties, Senior Placement Services, we’re here to guide you every step of the way, from Medicaid applications to move-in day.

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Our Senior Living Services Get Recognized 🙌🏼
Jonie Sturek Jonie Sturek

Our Senior Living Services Get Recognized 🙌🏼

We are thrilled to share that Welcome Home Team @ Better Homes and Gardens and Family Ties Senior Placement Services have been featured in the March Home Issue of Elkhorn City Lifestyles Magazine. This recognition highlights our expertise in senior transitions and the unique services we provide to help families navigate one of life’s biggest decisions—finding the right home for their loved ones.

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Who You Work with Matters in Senior Living
Jonie Sturek Jonie Sturek

Who You Work with Matters in Senior Living

Selling a home at any stage of life can be overwhelming, but for seniors, the process comes with unique challenges. Whether it’s downsizing, relocating to an active adult community, or transitioning to assisted living, having the right real estate professional by your side makes all the difference. That’s where Jonie Sturek and the Welcome Home Team come in.

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Tips for a Comfortable Transition into Senior Living
Jonie Sturek Jonie Sturek

Tips for a Comfortable Transition into Senior Living

One of the best ways to ease this transition is by making the new space feel as warm and familiar as possible. Here are some thoughtful ways to create a comforting and personalized environment in an assisted living or memory care apartment. Our Senior Living Advisors help families navigate this process step by step. We work hard to make this move easier! Here are some tips to consider:

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Navigating Memory Care: How a Senior Living Advisor Can Help at Every Stage of Alzheimer’s
Jonie Sturek Jonie Sturek

Navigating Memory Care: How a Senior Living Advisor Can Help at Every Stage of Alzheimer’s

Finding the right memory care community for a loved one with Alzheimer’s can be overwhelming. Families often face difficult decisions, and understanding the progression of the disease is crucial to ensuring proper care. At Family Ties, Senior Placement Services, we specialize in guiding families through this journey, using the Alzheimer’s Association’s seven -stage model as a framework to match individuals with the most appropriate level of care.

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Finding Community for Dementia Support
Jonie Sturek Jonie Sturek

Finding Community for Dementia Support

Finding Strength in Community: How Support Groups Help Families Facing Dementia

When a loved one is diagnosed with dementia, Alzheimer’s, or other forms of cognitive decline, the journey ahead can feel overwhelming. Families often find themselves navigating a maze of emotions, medical decisions, and caregiving responsibilities. It’s easy to feel alone, but you don’t have to be.

Support groups provide a vital space for family members, friends, and caregivers to connect with others who truly understand the challenges of dementia care. Here’s how they can make a difference:

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Tips On Settling Into Memory Care
Jonie Sturek Jonie Sturek

Tips On Settling Into Memory Care

Helping your loved one transition to memory care is a big step, but with the right resources and a caring approach, it can be a positive and enriching experience for everyone involved. Let’s walk this journey together.

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Easing the Transition: How Senior Real Estate Specialists and Senior Living Advisors Help Families
Jonie Sturek Jonie Sturek

Easing the Transition: How Senior Real Estate Specialists and Senior Living Advisors Help Families

Easing the Transition: How Senior Real Estate Specialists and Senior Living Advisors Help Families Navigate Senior Housing

Making the transition from a long-time family home to a senior living community is one of the most significant and emotional decisions seniors and their families will face. It’s not just about selling a house; it’s about finding the right new place to call home, often amidst changing health and lifestyle needs. At Welcome Home Team @ Better Homes and Gardens, we understand the complexities of this transition and work hand-in-hand with senior living advisors to ensure families receive the guidance, care, and expertise they need during this critical time.

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How A Senior Living Advisor Helps Families in Transition
Jonie Sturek Jonie Sturek

How A Senior Living Advisor Helps Families in Transition

As your loved ones age, finding the right senior living community in the Omaha Metro Area for assisted living or memory care can feel overwhelming. With so many options across Omaha, Council Bluffs, and the surrounding suburbs, navigating this process alone can be challenging. That’s where a local senior living advisor comes in—your trusted partner in identifying the best fit for your loved one’s needs.

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