Senior Living Blog

Nurturing Hearts this Valentine’s Day and Every Other Day Too: Showing Love to Loved Ones with Dementia
Jonie Sturek Jonie Sturek

Nurturing Hearts this Valentine’s Day and Every Other Day Too: Showing Love to Loved Ones with Dementia

Dementia is a journey that reshapes everyone’s lives of those it touches, both the individuals experiencing it and their families. As our loved ones navigate the complexities of memory loss and cognitive changes, our role in showing love becomes even more profound. It's about creating a world for them that feels safe, comforting, and rich with connection.

Check out our latest blog on thoughtful ways to show love to your aging loved ones battling dementia, keeping their environment soothing, relaxing, and engaging:

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Should We Sell the House Before, or After, Moving Mom?
Jonie Sturek Jonie Sturek

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.

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Closing Out 2025 with a Grateful Heart
Jonie Sturek Jonie Sturek

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.

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Essential Documents to Gather When Considering a Move to a Senior Living Community
Jonie Sturek Jonie Sturek

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.

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🍂 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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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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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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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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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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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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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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