“Music is life itself,” is a Louis Armstrong quote that resonates deeply with Ira. When he made the move to Atria, music was Ira’s key to making new friends and renewing his sense of purpose.
Music was a powerful bond between Ira and his father, and it’s what inspired him to create a Musical Memories group. Beth, the Engage Life Director at Atria Forest Hills, encouraged Ira every step of the way. Soon, others were looking forward to tapping their feet, clapping their hands and singing along to Ira’s playlist at the group’s regular gatherings.
Atria helped Ira share his childhood joy and fostered meaning in his life through the many new friends he’s touched with his love of music.
Discover the power of connections at Atria
Atria provides the kind of support and opportunities that make it easier for older adults to pursue their passions with energy and optimism. Our vibrant communities offer the perfect environment to learn, grow and connect with others. We invite you to join Ira and other residents who’ve made Atria their home.
That 94-year old is Sarah, a passionate artist and resident at Atria on Roslyn Harbor. Her many lives include raising a family and being an accomplished illustrator, teacher and fine artist specializing in sculpture and painting.
Sarah says she approaches each day as though she’s going to live forever, because she doesn’t want to think that her age is holding her back from pursuing what brings her joy. For Sarah, this joy includes spending time with family and her continued passion for painting.
Atria is delighted to support Sarah’s interests and to provide a venue for her upcoming art show. Living at Atria has also helped her develop some very dear friendships. Sarah said she went from living on her own to joining a community where her wonderful friends and community staff provide a sense of security and make her feel like she’s part of a family.
Make your colorful connections at Atria
Atria provides the kind of support and opportunities that make it easier for older adults to pursue their passions with energy and optimism. Our vibrant communities offer the perfect environment to learn, grow and connect with others. We invite you to join Sarah and other residents who’ve made Atria their home.
When considering a new place to call home, Estella wanted a community that provided the independent lifestyle she cherished. When she first visited Atria at the Arboretum, it was all that she had imagined – but before moving in she asked, “Can I bring my sewing machine?”
Sewing is a passion for Estella that started at a very young age when her mother needed help making dresses for one of her many seamstress customers. From that day on, Estella’s love for stitching colorful creations grew – so when Atria said that they would of course support her interests, Estella knew she’d found her new home.
Living at Atria provides the freedom Estella enjoys and has helped her make meaningful connections. As she explains, “If I had stayed at home by myself, I wouldn’t have made so many friends, and that’s important to me.” She’s especially fond of a community sewing group she joined, which she affectionally calls, “The Knit Wits.”
Discover a lifestyle that fits you
At Atria, you’ll find for older adults to pursue their passions with energy and optimism. Our vibrant communities offer the perfect environment to learn, grow and connect with others. We invite you to join Estella and other residents who’ve made Atria their home.
At Atria Senior Living, everything we do is driven by quality. Our number one goal is to make the best possible life for our residents. To deliver on that promise, we created Quality Enhancement program to ensure every aspect of life at our communities meets the highest standards in the industry.
Sean Purser, Atria’s Chief Quality Officer, has led our unique, industry-leading approach to quality since 2017. We sat down with him to learn more about Atria’s Quality Enhancement program and the role it plays in our communities.
Can you talk about how Atria’s Quality Enhancement (QE) program began?
Sean: When we decided to establish a Quality Enhancement program in 2004, our goal was to provide Atria residents with the highest level of service in the senior living industry. As well, with so many communities spread out across the country, we needed a universal set of auditable guidelines to ensure consistent quality from one community to the next.
To establish our standards, we began working with each department (Culinary, Maintenance, Care etc.), and reviewed what they considered the most important aspects. We then considered state regulations, safety components and a number of other factors. It was an extensive process which continues to this day. That first rollout was the genesis of what we now call Atria’s Quality Enhancement program which is like no other in our industry. In the end, we knew this would help us provide our residents with the best possible environment and communities.
Do you feel like Atria’s quality review process is unique in the industry?
Sean: Absolutely! There are quality measurement programs in senior assisted living, but no one has invested in a platform like Atria’s Quality Enhancement (QE) program. Atria’s QE program is unique in that it takes into consideration both clinical factors as well as the overall resident experience. Plus, we are very proactive when it comes to quality standards – we don’t wait for bad things to happen and then follow-up. We try to look ahead and prevent them.
We can do this because our quality evaluation tool is very agile and under constant review. This gives us the ability to change or add elements very easily and quickly see when we need to address something.
For instance, when the COVID pandemic began, we immediately shifted our audit focuses to an in-depth evaluation of our communities’ infection control practices. Having that kind of flexibility is one reason our QE program is so effective.
Another Atria difference is we dedicate a team of Quality Enhancement Directors (QED) to focus solely on performing quality audits. These QEDs do not report up operationally, they report through me to the Board of Directors. This structure gives us a level of independence from operations and a dedication not found in this industry. Our QED team also comes from proven individuals within Atria. All in, our team of QEDs has more than 200 years of experience with Atria. We are serious about investing in the quality of services we provide our residents.
I can go on about how rigorous our QE process is, but a better example would be how well our communities perform on State Regulatory Surveys. Each state has regulatory surveyors, or “auditors” as I like to say. These state surveyors audit Assisted Living communities in each state to ensure they are providing the appropriate care, services, and environment for residents. State surveys can be quite extensive and in a typical year, a community can expect to be surveyed several times by the state regulators. Since QE began in 2004, our communities have continually improved. In 2018, Atria communities have averaged less than one deficiency per state survey and we’ve continued to maintain that level of excellence.
J.D. Power ranked Atria Senior Living #1 in Customer Satisfaction among Assisted Living/Memory Care Communities in 2021. How are customer-driven recognitions and awards like this connected to Atria’s Quality Program in your mind?
Sean: We see good results from State Surveyors and our QE process, but this was especially gratifying to be recognized by J.D. Power. They went directly to our customers and having them “score” us as the best is a validation of our efforts. It has always made me proud to know we provide the best senior living environment in this industry, and this just proves it. In the end, customer satisfaction and safety are the most important aspect we can provide to our residents.
Could you talk more about the Quality Award?
Sean: Sure, Quality Awards can be earned when rigorous standards are met during the review and only our highest scorers earn the Q-Award. The higher the score the better and as I mentioned earlier, there is the potential for monetary bonuses that also includes frontline staff.
Does it get competitive?
Sean: Oh absolutely! We count on that. Our communities, regions and divisions all know where they stand. I often heap praise on those doing well and I will regularly challenge those that are not making the grade. I count on that sense of competition and pride in the Quality of Atria’s communities. We are consistently raising the bar to continue to be the best in this industry.
Tell us about your team’s work in packaging up the Atria Quality tool into Glennis Solutions’ suite of products for smaller senior living operators?
Sean: In 2020, we started working with the team at Glennis Solutions on building a Quality tool for their software suite that would bring a lot of what Atria has learned over the years to even more seniors who live in communities using Glennis’ business tools. It has been interesting to see how the work we’re doing with Glennis is helping us innovate our quality program and take it to the next level.
Glennis doesn’t share Atria’s indicators with other providers since they are proprietary to us. But their survey preparation tool includes questions that are regulatory in nature or specific to each individual brand. At the end of the day, we believe it is important to help others in our industry strive for what is already a part of Atria’s culture of quality.
What was your background before coming to Atria?
Sean: I spent 5 years in the United States Marine Corps, graduated the University of Louisville with an Accounting degree and I’ve been a CPA for more than 25 years. I’ve worked in Public Accounting as an auditor and I’ve held corporate roles as an Accountant, Controller and CFO. 15 years ago, I joined Atria’s accounting department and eventually became our Operations Controller. After 10 years in Accounting, I began as Atria’s Chief Quality Officer.
When I first joined our QE team, we had a very strong program, and my focus has been to continue to strive to find better ways to measure and improve the processes. I believe my audit background has helped us streamline processes which has given us the ability to provide the most accurate assessment possible in this industry.
What is your favorite part of the job?
Sean: Helping communities improve is the favorite part of our job. To see a team of employees, make the commitment to Quality and put everything into action drives us. It is an amazing feeling to see it when a community puts themselves in the running for a Quality Award.
Is there anything else you’d like our readers to know about Atria’s approach to quality?
Sean: On behalf of our Quality Enhancement Team, I’d like everyone to know that we will never settle in our endeavors to guide our communities to the highest quality environments possible. That said, the reason Atria holds our communities to the highest quality standards in the senior living industry isn’t because it’s easy, it is because we believe our residents and their families deserve nothing less.
While caring for an aging parent or family member, you will accompany them to healthcare appointments. These are excellent opportunities to gain an understanding of your parent’s health, which is essential to providing adequate care.
Despite being hands-on with your parent’s care, you may be unaware of everything in their medical history or current health issues, especially if you do not reside in the same home. So, it’s important to make the most of each visit by preparing beforehand.
Keep a notebook with your questions so you know what to ask your parent’s doctor, as well as observations and other information. Bring it with you to each appointment. This will help you remember to address topics like common signs of aging , information about your parent’s daily medication and any chronic health conditions they may have.
It will also help you stay organized if your parent has multiple doctors, home care instructions, return appointments or other vital information that should be remembered.
Maybe your parent has a history of chronic or progressive illnesses that needs to be explained during a routine check-up. Maybe your parent is showing possible symptoms of a new illness. No matter what has brought you into the healthcare provider’s office, make sure you have a solid understanding of any condition or illness diagnosed by the doctor.
What is each medication treating, and are there any possible side effects?
Your parent may take different medications prescribed by different physicians for varying reasons. Bring a list of all current medications and supplements for discussion. Ask if any new medications are being prescribed and document instructions as well as side effects. If your parent takes multiple medications daily, remember to ask about drug interaction.
I’ve noticed these changes – should I be concerned?
Chances are you’ve noticed a multitude of changes while caring for an aging parent or family member. Some changes may be common signs of aging ; others may not. Observations such as sudden weight gain or loss, edema, new occurrences of disorientation, trouble hearing or a sudden change in vision should be discussed with the healthcare provider. Be sure to mention any recent accidents, such as falls and other injuries.
What changes should I watch for?
Whether your parent or family member has a chronic illness like diabetes or a progressive illness like Parkinson’s disease, it’s important to be knowledgeable about any symptoms that indicate an illness is getting worse or is not being managed properly.
What exercises are best for my parent?
Staying active plays an important role in aging well. Depending on your parent’s ability, unique health history and prior injuries or surgeries, some exercises may be more beneficial than others, while some may need to be avoided altogether. Ask your healthcare provider to recommend easy-to-do exercises your parent can do to be active while aging.
Is my parent getting proper nutrition?
Have you noticed a change in your parent’s appetite? Are they eating less or more? Maybe others have noticed they aren’t cooking like they used to, and you’re concerned about their food choices. A nutritious, balanced diet is essential to staying healthy while aging. Be sure to discuss this with your parent and their doctor.
Is my parent showing signs of memory loss?
Forgetfulness may be a common sign of aging, but if you or others have noticed changes in behavior or concerning moments of memory lapse, like your parent forgetting recent events or repeatedly asking the same question after it’s been answered, mention it to their physician. These things could be signs of memory loss or something else. Sometimes, treatable causes like poor nutrition or urinary tract infections can present symptoms similar to that of dementia. Proper examination is key to rule out other causes.
Is my parent eligible for any screenings? Is there testing or bloodwork that needs to be completed? If so, please explain.
Routine screens and annual physical exams can help detect and effectively treat diseases early, so help your parent stay on top of them. A blood pressure screening, colonoscopy, bone density scan, cholesterol/lipid blood test, diabetes screening, hearing test, thyroid function test, skin check and mammogram are a few common preventive health screens your parent should complete to ensure a healthy aging process. If your parent is visiting the doctor because of a suspected illness, different testing may be required.
What should we work on before our next appointment?
Ask for realistic, attainable goals to help improve your parent or family member’s health if necessary. Whether it is taking medication consistently or adopting a healthier diet, try to help your parent achieve their goal.
When accompanying your parent to doctor’s appointments, you may find yourself acting as an advocate and liaison. Encourage interaction between the healthcare provider and your parent, if possible. Position yourself as a partner to your parent, not a figure of authority. Look for cues that your parent may be confused, uneasy or overwhelmed. Be empowered to ask for clarity or to ask the healthcare provider to speak in layman’s terms: cognitive processing slows down with age and your parent may need help to understand. Also, push back on questionable judgement when you have concerns. This will empower your parent to be a willing and active participant at their appointments and with their overall well-being.
Studies suggest that adults ages 65 and older who interact with people beyond their usual circles of family and friends are more likely to stay active and have a positive outlook. Let’s go over some of the many physical, mental, and emotional benefits of socialization for seniors.
How socialization provides physical benefits
A lifestyle that involves being social – taking a walk with neighbors, listening to other people’s stories at dinner, or showing up to a happy hour get-together – can keep seniors alert and engaged. Plus, it may lessen the possibility of being isolated or sedentary, which often leads to detrimental health outcomes in older adults. Research suggests that people who enjoy social support are more likely to keep going to the gym or maintain a fitness regimen. Which makes sense: Our friends and peers can jog with us in the morning, swim laps with us, or encourage us to never give up on our goals.
The emotional benefits of social events and workshops for seniors are intuitive: Strong social connections and satisfying relationships correlate with longer lifespans. Making new friends, having people close to you who you trust, valuing the advice of confidants, or sharing a laugh with a neighbor can improve anyone’s well-being and sense of stability.
Find your community
At Atria, we promote a culture of socialization for older adults because we believe that people belong together. We created Engage Life programs to provide programming that enhances residents’ lives through workshops, travel outings, and other opportunities to socialize. Find out more about opportunities to learn and discover new goals at Atria.
It’s no secret. With age brings mental and physical changes. Some signs of aging are subtle, like the slight change in taste of certain foods. Other signs are more noticeable, like reoccurring aches and joint pains. While each person’s unique health history and genetic disposition play a key role in the effects of growing old, it’s important to have a general understanding of what’s common, what to expect and what could be cause for concern.
Forgetfulness and moments of memory lapse could be common signs of aging. Some examples your older parent may experience include misplacing things, missing an appointment or occasional trouble finding words that are “on the tip of their tongue” during a conversation.
Keep an eye out for your parent having difficulty remembering how to do regular tasks, such as taking daily medications or keeping up with hygiene, forgetting recent events or displaying changes in their functional abilities. This could mean your parent may need more reminders, supervision or hands-on assistance, like an in-home caregiver or assisted living.
How to help your parent: When assisting your parent, show patience. They may be frustrated with their own forgetfulness. Creating to-do lists together is an easy way to stay on track of daily routines. Encourage involvement in activities that strengthen the mind and body, like walking. Organization for regularly used items is important. For example, things like house keys, a purse or wallet, and medications should be placed in the same accessible spot each day. Your parent may also have a hard time admitting they need help and refuse assistance. Reassurance and support will remind them that the goal is to help them stay safe and independent.
Maintaining daily routines may be difficult
The desire, energy or ability to stay on top of home maintenance can decrease as people age. You may notice things like mail piling up, more frozen meals instead of fresh food, untidy rooms and small tasks going unaddressed, like replacing broken light bulbs.
You may even notice a lack of energy or interest to stay on top of hygiene, such as skipping daily showers or wearing stained clothes.
However, increasingly unsafe, unsanitary and unhealthy surroundings are signs an aging parent needs help.
“It’s said that it takes a village to care for a child. The same sentiment holds true to care for an older adult who’s experiencing cognitive and functional decline,” said Christina Y. Chen, MD, geriatrician at the Mayo Clinic.
“It takes thoughtful caregivers, friends, family and an involved healthcare system, as well as a keen understanding of what is within our control, what is outside of our control, and doing the best to bring out the best.”
How to help your parent: Assist with daily tasks that seem to be overwhelming. For example, sit with your parent and go over the bills or visit weekly to tidy up the house. If you live far away, consider setting up some bills for autopay or hiring a housekeeping service.
Your parent’s mood may be different following loss
Loss becomes more commonplace as we grow older. It is expected to experience sadness following the death of friends, family or a spouse, but be aware not to overlook signs of depression and anxiety, which often goes untreated in older adults.
How to help your parent: Be patient and supportive during the grieving process. Loss is hard at any age. Make a point to call and check on their well-being. Invite your parent over for dinner or a fun family activity. Consider talking to your parent about grief counseling or accompanying them to a support group. Some places of worship also offer grief and counseling services.
Your parent’s mood may be different following major changes
Frustration or sadness on the heels of retirement or selling the family home is surprisingly common, especially if spurred by declining health or a decrease in independence. Again, be on the lookout for signs of depression and anxiety, which could also manifest as anger.
How to help your parent: Be considerate of their unique grieving process and encourage your parent to engage in what brings them joy. Or, if they are open, introduce them to something new to encourage future-forward thinking. If sadness, frustration or overall discontentment persist, consider talking to your parent about counseling.
Isolation and loneliness can be common for an elderly parent
Declining health paired with a disability or limited mobility can cause an older adult to feel like an inconvenience to others. Because of this, it is common to isolate oneself, consequentially leading to loneliness and eventually depression. Withdrawing from others and showing a lack of interest in things they once enjoyed are telltale signs of isolation and loneliness. You may even notice them napping more or frequently watching TV.
How to help your parent: Monitor this behavior as best as possible, and then engage your parent with an activity known to bring them joy. Start in the home where it is safe and familiar, and then work up their comfortability to venture out in the world. Modify activities according to their abilities. Look for places that are accessible and won’t overwhelm them.
Physical decline during the aging process
Declining physical changes are inevitable. The lens of the eye thickens, stiffens and becomes less able to focus on close objects, like words in a book. Tooth loss becomes more common. High-pitched sounds become harder to hear, making it difficult to understand voices clearly at times. Your parent’s sense of balance may not be as keen as it once was, increasing their risk for trips and falls. Their mobility may be affected due to surgery, joint stiffness or muscle weakness. As unpleasant as it may be, urinary incontinence could be a common sign of aging due to weakening bladder muscles.
How to help your parent: Routine visits to a physician and dentist, staying active, and maintaining a balanced, healthy diet may not stop the aging process, but these actions will help your parent age well and mitigate chronic health problems. Support your parent by encouraging checkups, exercising with them and trying out new, wholesome recipes together.
As you assist your parent, be patient. Ask how he or she would like you to help them. Sometimes even the most well-intended help can spur resistance at first. Stay resilient and don’t hesitate to ask for support when needed.
For many, winter is the happiest time of the year. Families gather for the holidays and friends celebrate as they usher in another new year. Winter can also be a difficult time for older adults. The onset of cold weather can create hazardous conditions outside, and people often prefer to stay home when it’s more pleasant indoors, which can lead to social isolation and depression. Here are a few tips on how to maintain senior safety this winter.
Prepare for snow and ice
Whenever snow or ice appear in the forecast, bundle up with gloves, a heavy coat, a scarf, or other warm clothes to protect you from the cold. Wear shoes with non-skid soles, take your car in for regular check-ups and make sure that your snowblower is working. Put ice scrapers in your cars and keep shovels and a bucket of rock salt or other de-icing salt at the ready.
This last point is important, because an estimated 36 million older adults fall each year and slips and falls can cause serious injuries in older adults. So if you think it’s safe enough to go to outside but you’re still leery about driving, don’t hesitate to ask friends, family or neighbors to give you a ride or help with errands.
Stock up on food and blankets
When your front walk is crusted over with ice and you’ve heard news reports about accidents on the highways, it’s probably best to stay indoors. One measure you can take to ensure that you’re equipped to wait out the weather is to stockpile water bottles, a pantry of groceries (including non-perishable items like canned meats, vegetables and soups), and a week’s worth of medication. And be sure to keep warm blankets and extra layers of clothing in the house.
Make sure your generator’s working
Blizzards and snowstorms may sound picturesque, but winter weather can down power lines and snap off the electricity inside your home. To be prepared for a power outage, buy a portable generator, which should keep your electricity running even if you get cut off from your main power sources. Store a flashlight and extra batteries in an easy-to-reach place like a bedside table, buy a food thermometer, and assemble an emergency kit that might include extra cash, maps of your area and a first aid kit with relevant medications.
Connect with others
One aspect of senior safety that has more to do with mental rather than physical health is staying connected with others. People tend to stay indoors more often during the winter, but whenever you have the chance to catch up with friends and family, try to stay connected and engaged.
Call or Zoom with children or grandchildren who are out of town. When the weather permits, go mall-walking with a friend, join a book club, or have dinner at a neighbor’s house. Take every opportunity to stay active and invigorated with other people’s company, because a healthy social life correlates with fewer feelings of negativity – which is a great way to ward off the winter blues.
Keep safe this winter
At Atria, we understand the importance of social connection for older adults especially during a season when it’s harder for older adults to go outside. That’s why Atria residents enjoy winter events such as movies, workshops, group outings and engaging holiday programs – while maintaining flu and COVID health and safety measures.
“After all that you’ve done in life, there’s still plenty of life to live. Each day, I continue to embrace life, pursue purpose and be open for adventure. It’s not always easy, but when I reflect over each experience, it’s always worth it.”
The quote above is from Atria’s longtime friend Billie Jean King, a celebrated tennis champion and equal-rights activist. Billie Jean recently sat down with three Atria residents and asked them how they’re redefining aging, which you can learn more about in our Next Chapter video series.
While their answers were as unique as each of their life stories, a common thread was woven between them. Each resident saw retirement as a both a time for reflection and for looking ahead – an opportunity to pursue new interests and reinvent themselves. Based on what they shared, and others have told us, we’ve compiled a few tips to help with your own reinvention.
Escape the clutter
By the time you’ve reached retirement, you’ve no doubt acquired a lot of “stuff.” While some possessions hold deep sentimental value, getting rid of – or donating – less cherished household items is often very freeing. Downsizing typically means less home maintenance, which frees up time for more joyful pursuits. In fact, many older adults have found that it actually changed their outlook on life and made them more open to new possibilities.
Go back to the future
Reflecting on your past can help shape your future. What experiences brought you the most joy? Consider rekindling your passions for old hobbies or taking up a new one. Maybe there was something you’ve always wanted to try, like gardening, Thai Chi, playing the piano or painting, but never found the time to pursue.
Whatever you decide on, remember that you don’t have to jump in feet first – baby steps are fine. Whether it’s talking about your interests with others, reading up about it, or acquiring any supplies that may be needed, your journey of reinvention starts with a single step.
Connect with others
Wherever your interests take you, having others to share your time and experiences with fosters a renewed sense of self. Seek out volunteer opportunities, join a club, sign up for a community class or attend a lecture. And be sure to reach out to others – as the saying goes, a stranger is a friend you don’t yet know.
Studies have shown that socialization improves well-being in older adults. That’s why Atria created the Engage Life® program to provide residents daily opportunities to express themselves creatively, connect with each other and nature, have fun, and stay fit with events that are tailored to meet their particular interests.
Get the support you need
At Atria, new chapters of life unfold each day, and living in a senior community can help you get the most out of retirement. Our vibrant communities offer engaging events and a welcoming environment where you can grow, stay active and connect with the world. With a wealth of experience and wisdom behind you and many opportunities ahead, we’ll help see that you’re well equipped to reinvent yourself for your next chapter.
As Billie Jean King says, “Don’t be afraid to try something new or even start all over. I encourage you to go all in. Make this next chapter of your life better than the last.”
Winter is a few weeks away, and for many seniors and homeowners in the US, that means another season of inclement weather outdoors – and a few months spent checking that everything’s working properly indoors. Here are a few tips on how to winterize your home and avoid the challenges that can occur when the snow falls and the air freezes:
Take a look at your heating system
A lot can happen to an HVAC system over the course of a year. Dust can build up. Parts can break. Filters can clog. So when homeowners turn on their heating systems after being dormant for months, they may discover an issue they didn’t anticipate. Before it gets to that point, turn it on in advance to make sure everything’s working properly.
Hire an HVAC company to inspect the ducts, furnace, and other heating systems in your house, and cover up any outside A/C units to shield them from snow and ice build-up. Once your HVAC is running properly, keep your heat set to at least 68–70°F.
Protect your pipes
Another reason to set your thermostat to 68–70°F is to make sure that your pipes don’t freeze. Burst pipes are one of the most frequent causes of property damage during the winter and can cost upwards of $5,000 in water damage. If you leave town for the holidays, you can turn the temperature down to 55°F, but don’t dial it down any further. Open the doors inside your house so that warm air can circulate. Let cold water drip from a faucet to keep water moving through your pipes.
Inspect your chimney
A fireplace is one of the joys of wintertime. If your chimney flue is closed, however, a fireplace or other gas heater might emit exhaust in your house, which may cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Check the batteries in your carbon monoxide poisoning detector or buy another one if it’s defunct or seems not to be working. Keep a fire extinguisher handy and make an appointment for someone to inspect your chimney when the weather turns cold.
Eliminate any cold drafts
Ask someone to inspect the crawl space, the attic, or any other hard-to-get areas to make sure that all the nooks and crannies of your house are adequately insulated. While they’re in your house, see if they can plug up any chilly drafts that may let the cold air in and seal up any cracks or holes with caulk. Consider installing a storm-door or weather-proof the windows. Replace any breezy summer curtains with heavier winter drapes.
Clean out your gutters
Another way to winterize your home is to ask a relative or a neighbor – or hire a gutter cleaning company – to clear out leaves, mud or sticks that may be clogging your gutters. Water finds its way into the tiniest cracks and holes in any home, and the accumulation of debris can cause rain and snow runoff to pool and seep into the roof, walls and even the foundation of your house.
A good choice this winter
Winter should be a cozy time for all of us. At Atria, our communities are furnished with all the comforts of home and equipped with the safety measures that come with being part of a senior living community. We know how to winterize our communities to create a home for residents that assures they’re safe and snug indoors when it’s sleeting and snowy outdoors.
Visit AtriaWinterWellness.com to learn more about how we’re keeping residents safe this winter.
