I felt like I was abandoning him after dropping him off. I knew that he was in the best possible place. I felt guilty.

CCRC dining differs from dining-out expectations, and starting with residents, instead of corporate, can be the key to successful community living.

When you meet someone with whom you want to connect, you can give them that sense of dignity and belonging with Sharon Johnson’s OPA formula.

There was this collective sense of purpose — a desire to create real change and walk away with tangible ideas to make it happen.

Imagine that you could double the number of resident care aides. How much are the possibilities of a better experience?

To LeadingAge’s credit, residents are tolerated at meetings, but I think leaders believe they are more open to residents than is actually the case.

We used to think it meant leaving a job you endured for a carefree life of perpetual vacation. And people are finding their true purpose after “retirement.”

Dolly Parton was asked what she would like people to say about her 100 years from now. Her answer: “Dang, doesn’t she still look good for her age?”

Do you think that family members should be more closely connected with your community and your residents? Let’s hear how that might work.

We are better when we are together, in partnership for the betterment of our world. Let’s try to find a way to make senior living empowering for everybody.

Sadly, not all CCRCs make that kind of promise. This article urges others to fulfill the dream, the dream of that imagined peace of mind.

It, of course, was more than just a cup of coffee. It was how they thought about caring for elders and their family members.

Those who have a stronger service culture will be more content and will be enthusiastic supporters of the community they love.

Remy’s takeaway: “If we understand the biology of aging, we don’t just fight one disease — we can delay many, giving people more years of health …”

Growing older isn’t just challenging — it’s overwhelmingly complicated. Here’s the brutal reality: Health becomes a full-time job

The “but why?” question should be central to our thinking. How do we actually get beyond those basics so that senior living has real meaning?

Recently, I’ve been intrigued by the new usage of place as meaning what we used to call “a happy place.” My happy place is where I feel at home …

The next time you overhear two older people talking, lean in and learn from their journey. You might find they possess the real secret to longevity.

Just because you’re up in years some doesn’t mean you don’t have hopes and dreams and aspirations just as much as younger people do.

If senior living is truly about creating exceptional experiences for residents, we need to start giving them real budgets to create real experiences.

The idea is that even if artificial intelligence (AI) companionship can seem empathetic, it’s still just a machine.

One might think that being among people would lift the malaise of loneliness. Question: What can be done to ensure that everyone feels valued and included?

No two individuals are the same. We all like to be recognized and respected for those qualities that make us unique.

This is the brutal truth about caregiving that the how-to articles and expert advice columns don’t capture.

For me, the best part of NIC is always the people. But I also look forward to those “can’t-miss” sessions that help us see where the industry is headed.