Senior Living Blog
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
💙 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.
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”
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?
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.
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.
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?
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.
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:
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.
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: