Senior Living Blog
Easy Ways for Seniors to Stay Engaged and Active this Winter
When the Nebraska wind starts to howl and the temperatures drop, staying indoors becomes a necessity. For families caring for a loved one with dementia, these long winter months can sometimes feel isolating or stagnant. However, with a little creativity and a structured routine, the "off-season" can actually be a wonderful time for deep connection and cognitive stimulation.
As a senior living advisor in Omaha, I often help families navigate the transition to memory care. One thing I always emphasize is that "entertainment" for someone with dementia isn't just about passing the time—it’s about engagement, dignity, and joy.
Navigating the Costs of Care: A Guide from Your Senior Living Advisor in Omaha
Choosing the right path for a loved one is one of the most significant decisions a family can make. As a senior living advisor in Omaha, I often hear the same vital question: "What is the real difference in price and care between these options?"
Understanding the "why" behind the price tags helps families move from confusion to confidence. In Omaha, our senior living landscape is diverse, offering everything from active social hubs to 24/7 medical environments.
The Financial Bridge: How Most Families Pay for Care
One of the biggest hurdles families face is not just the monthly cost, but the liquidity to pay for it. For the vast majority of seniors in the Omaha metro and Council Bluffs area, their home is their largest asset.
This is where Jonie Sturek offers a unique advantage that sets her apart from any other senior living advisor in Omaha. Jonie understands that the transition to senior living is a two-part puzzle: finding the right care and unlocking the funds to pay for it. With Welcome Home Team, BH&G, we take care of the details for you.
Should We Sell the House Before, or After, Moving Mom?
Making the transition into a senior living community is as much about the heart as it is about the home. In Omaha, Lincoln, and Council Bluffs, where our neighborhoods are filled with history and deep roots, the question of whether to sell first or move first is one we hear every day.
There isn't a "one-size-fits-all" answer, but there is a way to make the process feel seamless. Let’s look at the emotional and practical sides of both paths in our latest blog post.
Starting the Conversation: Questions to Ask When Thinking About Senior Living
Starting the conversation after the holidays about senior living changes can seem daunting. In our latest blog, we offer some questions that are helpful for families to consider as they plan for the future. We guide loved one’s in voicing concerns about the long-term care and what it is most important.
Need support in fostering these conversations? Your senior living advisor can guide you through this process to save time and frustration. Read for more helpful insights and to schedule your free consultation.
Closing Out 2025 with a Grateful Heart
As the calendar turns to 2026, I find myself looking back at the incredible families I have had the privilege of serving this past year. At Family Ties Senior Placement, our name is our mission. We believe that when a loved one moves into a senior living community, the "ties" to their family shouldn't be stretched—they should be strengthened.
To the families and friends who trusted me in 2025: Thank you.
Slowing Down With Loved Ones This Holiday Season — And Gently Preparing for 2026
The holidays have a way of reminding us what truly matters: slowing down, sharing a warm moment, and being present with the people we love most. For many families, this season is one of the few times everyone is under the same roof, laughing, reminiscing, and feeling deeply connected.
As we gather around the table or linger a little longer by the tree, we’re offered a beautiful opportunity — not just to celebrate 2025, but to gently look ahead at what 2026 may bring for the seniors we cherish.
The Holidays Can Reveal What Our Hearts Haven’t Wanted to See
As families gather this holiday season, many of us begin to notice subtle—or not so subtle—changes in our aging loved ones. It’s normal to wonder if what you’re seeing is simply part of getting older… or something more.
Read more to learn about the 10 Warning Signs of Dementia to keep in mind while spending quality time together.
Essential Documents to Gather When Considering a Move to a Senior Living Community
Preparing for a transition into a senior living community can feel like sorting through a lifetime’s worth of chapters. Families often arrive with equal parts hope, relief, and uncertainty. One of the most grounding steps in this process is gathering the right documents early. Think of it as assembling a gentle roadmap for a smoother, stress-lighter move.
Helping Our Aging Loved Ones Avoid Depression: Tips for Connection, Engagement, and Joy
💛 Aging doesn’t have to mean feeling lonely! Check out our latest blog for tips on keeping your loved ones active, engaged, and smiling—whether at home or in a senior living community. ✨
🍂 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.
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
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.
🌿 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. 💜
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.
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.
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
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!
How the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging and Your Senior Living Advisor Can Help Your Family Navigate Senior Living Solutions
Fortunately, seniors and their families in our region are not alone. The Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging (ENOA) provides invaluable resources, and Family Ties Senior Placement Services offers one-on-one guidance from a Senior Living Advisor who is here to support you every step of the way.
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.