Blog Articles

Essential Tips for Aging in Place: Safe and Comfortable Living

Aging in place means living in your own home safely…

Stacks of coins and a pile of ball point pens

Financial Planning for Retirement: Essential Tips and Strategies

Retirement is a significant milestone that brings freedom and new opportunities. However, ensuring financial stability during this stage of life requires careful planning. Whether you are approaching retirement or already enjoying it, having a solid financial plan can help you maintain your lifestyle, cover essential expenses, and reduce financial stress.

Four active senior women standing together and laughing

Staying Social in Retirement: The Importance of Friendships and Community

Retirement is a time for relaxation, personal growth, and enjoying life to the fullest. While it offers freedom from work responsibilities, it can also bring unexpected challenges, including feelings of isolation.

Traveling Solo in Retirement: Tips for Safe and Enjoyable Adventures

Retirement is a wonderful time to embrace travel, and solo adventures can be especially rewarding. Traveling alone allows you to set your own pace, explore destinations that interest you, and enjoy the freedom of your own schedule.

The dental office in Hendersonville features an empty patient chair, dental instruments, and a monitor on the wall. The room boasts white walls adorned with small artworks, creating a serene environment ideal for those approaching retirement.

Finding Trusted Professionals in a New Area: A Guide for Seniors

Moving to a new area can be both exciting and overwhelming, especially when it comes to finding trusted professionals like doctors, hairdressers, and dentists.

A person wearing dark jeans and shoes is walking down wooden stairs in a serene Hendersonville setting. The perspective is from below, focusing on the lower part of the legs and the stairs against a light background, capturing a moment in this picturesque town.

Fall Prevention at Home: Tips for Stair Safety

Stairs can pose a fall risk, but a few thoughtful changes can greatly reduce the danger. Installing sturdy handrails on both sides of stairs can provide essential support. Handrails

A close-up of a sleek, modern metallic door handle on a bright red painted door, reminiscent of the vibrant charm found in Asheville. The glossy finish accentuates its elegance, standing out against the vivid background.

Essential Home Safety Tips for Living Independently

For those wanting to stay independent as they age, home safety adjustments are key. One of the most important upgrades is improving lighting throughout the home, especially

A smiling couple stands outdoors in Asheville. The man, wearing a black beanie and green sweater, embraces the woman from behind. She sports a gray jacket and orange earrings, perfectly capturing the joy of retirement life amidst the blurred street and trees in the background.

Love in the Golden Years: Finding Romance as a Senior

For many, our senior years can bring unexpected opportunities to start fresh, including in the romance department. Whether you’ve been single for a while or find yourself newly so, the thought of dating can feel both exciting and a little intimidating.

A snow-covered suburban house with brick and gray siding, perfect for retirement in Asheville. Large windows, a white door, and snow-laden bushes grace the front yard. Flakes gently fall as a path leads from the freshly shoveled steps, inviting cozy senior living amidst serene beauty.

Creating a Senior-Friendly Home: Key Modifications

As we age, making thoughtful changes to our homes can support mobility and safety. Installing grab bars in key areas like the bathroom and handrails on stairs can help prevent falls. For added comfort, consider replacing traditional bathtubs with walk-in showers that have built-in seats – this can make a daily routine much easier and safer.

Close-up of bright orange and yellow flames dancing over dark, charred wood. The fires swirling patterns emit a warm glow against a dark background, capturing the dynamic nature of the blaze—a mesmerizing sight reminiscent of cozy evenings in Hendersonvilles welcoming retirement communities.

Stay Safe at Home: Quick Tips for Daily Safety

Daily safety at home can be achieved with a few simple but effective strategies. Encourage wearing non-slip shoes or slippers around the house to reduce the risk of slipping, especially on hard surfaces.

In case of emergencies, having a medical alert system can provide peace of mind, ensuring quick access to help if needed.

Betsy O'Leary, Aging in Place Specialist and Certified Active Adult Specialist in Housing, smiling at her desk, featured in a blog article about retirement.

“How to Make Shopping with an Aging Parent a Little Easier” by our Publisher Betsy O’Leary

In my last blog, I shared the ups and downs of taking my mom shopping at Walmart. It was a trip full of memories, both sweet and bittersweet, but it wasn’t without its challenges. If you’re caring for an aging parent, you know how outings like these can be both meaningful and exhausting.

“A Trip Down Memory Lane (and Detours) in the Aisles of Walmart” by our Publisher Betsy O’Leary

Taking my mom shopping at Walmart for “a few things” seemed simple enough when we planned it. But as with many things in life, what started as a straightforward errand turned into a layered experience—one filled with nostalgia, moments of connection, and, I’ll admit, a fair share of frustration.

A close-up of a silver showerhead in a Hendersonville senior living facility, with water spraying out in multiple streams against a plain background. The water droplets are visible as they fall.

Making Home a Safe Haven: Tips for a Safe Bathroom

“Making Home a Safe Haven: Tips for a Safe Bathroom”

Bathrooms can be a common spot for slips and falls, but a few simple changes can make them safer and more accessible.

A group of people raise champagne glasses in a celebratory toast, surrounded by sparklers. The scene is festive with a dimly lit background, highlighting the sparkling lights and bubbles in the glasses, as they joyfully celebrate a retirement in Asheville.

Kickstart the New Year with Meaningful Resolutions

“Kickstart the New Year with Meaningful Resolutions”

As the new year begins, it’s the perfect time to reflect on what matters most and set intentions that align with our values and goals. For many, this is a time to think about health, well-being, and ways to enhance daily life. Whether it’s embracing a new fitness routine, spending more time with loved ones, or enhancing home safety, small changes can make a big difference.

“Holidays with Mom: Navigating Joy, Frustration, and the New Normal” by our Publisher Betsy O’Leary

Holidays with Mom: Navigating Joy, Frustration, and the New Normal by our Publisher Betsy O’Leary

The holidays have always been special in my family. Mom loved them—her house was always decorated just so, the food was homemade and perfect, and every detail reflected her love for the season.

An older woman with short white hair sits on a bed in her Hendersonville senior living room, gazing thoughtfully out the window. She wears a striped shirt, her hand resting on her chest. The dimly lit space features a clock on a nearby nightstand, adding to the serene ambiance.

Finding Joy and Connection: Coping with Loneliness During the Holidays

“Finding Joy and Connection: Coping with Loneliness During the Holidays”

The holiday season can be a challenging time for seniors without family nearby. Feelings of loneliness can be especially pronounced during this period of togetherness and celebration.

Three older women with gray hair sit together, laughing joyfully in an inviting outdoor setting. Their colorful clothing and jewelry sparkle as they enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of a senior living community in Hendersonville. The background features charming wooden paneling.

Building New Friendships as a Senior After Relocating

“Building New Friendships as a Senior After Relocating”

Moving to a new location can be both exciting and daunting, especially for seniors. One of the biggest challenges is building a new social network. However, making new friends and connections can enrich your life and make your new home feel welcoming.

A bearded man and a woman with glasses sit on a couch in an Asheville home, looking at a photo album with a young girl. The man and woman wear white shirts and jeans, while the girl sports a red plaid shirt. Engaged and happy, they share stories of past adventures in this serene retirement haven.

Legacy Planning: How to Preserve Your Stories and Memories for Future Generations

“Legacy Planning: How to Preserve Your Stories and Memories for Future Generations”

Preserving your stories and memories is a wonderful way to leave a lasting legacy for future generations. Sharing your life experiences, family history, and personal insights can provide valuable lessons and cherished memories for your loved ones.

A cute mouse wearing a helmet drives a small vintage race car on an Asheville road. The blue, rusted car with tiny wheels and a number plate brings vibrant nostalgia, much like the joy of senior living. The mouse grips the steering wheel, looking forward intently.

A Senior’s Guide to Using Ride-Sharing Services Like Lyft and Uber

“A Senior’s Guide to Using Ride-Sharing Services Like Lyft and Uber”

Ride-sharing services like Lyft and Uber offer convenient and flexible transportation options, especially for seniors who may not drive or prefer not to use public transportation. Here’s a simple guide to help seniors learn how to use these services safely and efficiently.

A table set for a festive meal in a cozy Hendersonville senior living community features a roasted chicken at the center, surrounded by potatoes, mushrooms, and small pumpkins. Plates include cheese with grapes, cranberry sauce, a bowl of orange soup, and two glasses of rosé wine.

Heartwarming Ways for Seniors to Celebrate Thanksgiving

“Heartwarming Ways for Seniors to Celebrate Thanksgiving”

Thanksgiving is a special time to reflect on what we’re grateful for, enjoy good food, and connect with loved ones. Whether you have family nearby or are celebrating on your own, there are plenty of ways to make the holiday meaningful and joyful.

Single-story building with a stone facade and dark roof, nestled in Ashevilles lush greenery. An empty parking lot lies in the foreground, while arched windows and a chimney add charm. Balloons decorate the entrance, hinting at an event or celebration at this inviting senior living residence.

Strength, Endurance, and a Bright Future: A Message from Lifestyle Homes

Strength, Endurance, and a Bright Future: A Message from Lifestyle…

A joyful family gathers outdoors in Hendersonville, smiling at the camera. A young boy in a striped shirt holds a red toy airplane as two elderly people and four younger adults stand beside him, surrounded by greenery. Its a sunny day perfect for senior living and family fun.

“Recovery and Rebuilding – Patience and Progress in Western NC” by Betsy O’Leary, Publisher of Carolina Living Choices

As we continue the journey of recovery and rebuilding here in Western North Carolina, there’s one thing we know for sure—it takes time, but we’re moving forward! Each step brings us closer to the vibrant, thriving community we all love and call home.