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The Arbors at Dracut Keeps Helen Active and Engaged

For many years, Helen and her husband, Danny, were snowbirds who spent summers on Peaks Island in Maine and winters in Florida. Danny passed away nearly a decade ago, and for the first time in 64 years, Helen was alone.

Independent Again

“After my husband passed away, I was at odds about what to do,” Helen says. “I lived with my daughter in Wakefield [Massachusetts] for about nine months. Then I thought, this is silly. I’m perfectly able to take care of myself.” Helen moved into a small independent living facility on Peaks Island and lived there for the next seven years.

A few years ago, Helen’s eyesight started deteriorating, and she was experiencing sciatica that refused to go away.

“I really was having a hard time,” Helen recalls.

At the urging of her five children — combined with her own realizations that she needed to be somewhere she could have some help — Helen started searching for the right assisted living community.

With a Little Help from My Friends

Helen’s eldest daughter lives in Dracut, Massachusetts, so when the Arbors at Dracut opened, she stopped by — three times, actually. The fourth time, she brought Helen.

“When I came down, I liked it right away,” Helen says. “It’s much more appealing than any of the other places I looked at.”

Helen moved into the Arbors at Dracut a couple days after Thanksgiving in 2017.

“Everyone here is so friendly and helpful,” she says and gives an example. “I’m on a gluten-free diet of my own choosing, and Bob, the chef, is very accommodating. For instance, if he’s serving fish with crumbs on the top, He’ll make a special dish for me without the crumbs.

Busy, Busy, Busy

Helen’s favorite thing about the Arbors at Dracut — more than the pub, the movie theater, and the sunroom, is her home.

“I really love my apartment,” she says. “It’s very sunny. I’m happy to stay there and read my books and talk on the phone with my daughters.”

Helen is a big reader. Because of the difficulties with her eyesight, she’s started listening to audiobooks more, but her eyes don’t prevent her from participating in the Arbors at Dracut Book Club. “I learn something from almost any book I read,” she says.

If she’s not devouring the Book Club’s next read, you might find Helen playing cribbage or going for a walk outside.

“There are so many activities offered here that I haven’t even tried some of them,” Helen says. “My children always say: ‘When you want to talk to mom, you have to make an appointment. She’s always busy.’”

A Place to Call Home

At 92 years old, Helen is happy to be in assisted living.

“I am absolutely elated that I made this decision,” she says. “I’m just so happy here. My children can tell how much I enjoy being here. It’s a wonderful place to be. It is like one big family.”

If your mom or dad would enjoy dining on local culinary favorites, participating in engaging and enriching social opportunities, and quality personal care daily — and if you would appreciate a little peace of mind — Schedule a tour of the Arbors at Dracut today.

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The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-Assisted Living Costs and AffordabilityAre you considering assisted living for yourself or a loved one but are hesitant about the cost? Assisted living costs, services and amenities vary greatly among the last and most expensive communities, and costs are higher in some states than others.

This guide will answer questions you may have about the costs of assisted living and recommend resources to help you pay for it.


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The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-Having “The Talk” With Your Parent: It’s Time for Assisted Living
Talking to your aging parent about moving to an assisted living community isn’t easy.

Often, many adult children avoid bringing it up because it can be a sensitive topic.

This guide will provide you with helpful tips and insight on how to have a productive conversation with your parent and siblings regarding your parent’s future.


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The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-The Challenges of Aging: How to Handle Your Aging Parent’s Difficult BehaviorsDifficult behaviors in elderly adults are very common. They may be an expression of frustration your loved one feels or a symptom of early stages of dementia or Alzheimer’s.

This guide will provide you with skills and knowledge on how to handle difficult behaviors your aging parent may be experiencing.


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The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-Becoming a Family Caregiver: What You Need to Know Before Deciding to Take Care of a Loved One
Becoming a family caregiver can be a rewarding experience. It also has its challenges.

There are many questions to answer before making the decision to take care of a loved one.

This guide will provide answers to questions you may have on this topic.


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The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-Helping Your Parent Manage DepressionIs your parent or loved one depressed, or just in a bad mood?

What does medication and illness have to do with depression?

How can you help? In this guide, you will be provided with answers to the difficult questions you may have about depression.


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The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-Is It Depression? A Guide to Identifying and Addressing Depression in Aging AdultsHas your aging parent recently lost interest in activities they used to enjoy? Have you noticed a change in their mood and behavior?

This guide will provide you with resources and tools on how to identify depression, what are the common causes of depression, and how to promote mental health in your aging loved one.


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The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-Assisted Living Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Does your loved one need more support than what they are getting? Would they benefit from some assistance with daily activities?

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The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-Why We Chose the Arbors Assisted Living and Memory Care: A Collection of Stories from Residents Living at The ArborsWhere do you start searching for assisted living or memory care communities?

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The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-7 Warning Signs It’s Time to Make the Move to Assisted Living
Has your dad stopped getting together for lunches or outings with friends or visits with neighbors? Have you stopped enjoying time with your parents because you’re a caregiver?

Choosing an assisted living community is a big decision. Learn how to find the right one for you and your loved one.


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Guide-Getting Your Affairs in Order
No one ever plans to be sick or disabled, and disasters, man-made or natural, can happen at any time, anywhere.

Yet older adults are among the most vulnerable during a crisis. That’s why it’s critical that seniors, and those who care for them, prepare for emergencies.


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Guide-Guide to Making the Move to Assisted Living
Moving to assisted living is a life-changing event.

This guide provides tips and ideas on downsizing, what to pack and how to make the transition smooth for your senior parent.


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Guide-Solutions to Common Caregiving ChallengesIn this eBook, you’ll learn how to talk with family and friends about caregiving challenges, how to deal with a parent who is resistant to help, how to get more caregiving help from your siblings, and how to keep your job while caregiving.


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How Moving My Loved One to The Arbors Eliminated My Caregiving ChallengesHave you had to cut back your hours at work to care for your mom? Are you worried about administering medications or injections?

Have you stopped getting together with friends, either because you don’t have the time or you’re too exhausted? Are you becoming the invisible second patient?


NOTE: Your privacy is important to us. We’ll never share your details nor spam your inbox.

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Guide-When is the Right Time for Memory Care?In this guide, you’ll learn about the difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia, including the early symptoms of dementia; the seven stages of dementia and the symptoms that typically accompany each one; and the signs it’s time to start exploring your memory care options.


NOTE: Your privacy is important to us. We’ll never share your details nor spam your inbox.

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Guide-What to Look for in a Memory Care CommunityIn this guide, you’ll learn about the difference between assisted living and memory care, how healthcare professionals are trained in dementia care, common features of a memory care community, and questions you should ask when exploring your memory care options.


NOTE: Your privacy is important to us. We’ll never share your details nor spam your inbox.

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Guide-Brothers and Sisters
Navigating adult sibling relationships can be a challenge, but coming together for the sake of your parent is important.

In this guide, you’ll learn about common sibling conflicts that arise when caring for parents, strategies for getting siblings on board, and where to turn to for help.


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Guide-The StandoffAssisted living can be a touchy subject. No matter how you approach it, your parent is likely to have objections to something.

As you help them transition to a new stage of life, it helps to be prepared with answers to their questions and concerns.


NOTE: Your privacy is important to us. We’ll never share your details nor spam your inbox.

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Guide-11 Most Common Caregiving Challenges
A Guide to the Most Common Family Caregiver Challenges Associated with Caring for an Aging Parent.

You’ll learn about the true costs of being a family caregiver, common family conflicts that can occur when caring for parents, and some of the unexpected challenges of caregiving.


NOTE: Your privacy is important to us. We’ll never share your details nor spam your inbox.

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Guide-Checklist_ Questions to Ask When Touring an Assisted Living Community
This checklist will help to make sure you are getting the most out of your visit to The Arbors.

The list details what important questions to ask during your visit so you are able to make an enlightened choice and find the best assisted living community for your needs.

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Guide-What is Assisted Living Really LikeIf you’re unsure what Assisted Living looks like in real life, whether there is a difference with nursing homes or a desire to see how community life unfolds, then this guide is exactly what you need.

A guide to discover the Care Team and a Typical Day in Assisted Living.

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You’re probably wondering how much the different senior living options compare to your current situation.
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