Cantissimo Senior Living Blog

Driving is one of the most popular characteristics of independence. It's a symbol of becoming independent to mature to the legal age and get your driver's license. This is also why it can be difficult to accept that it may be time to now stop driving. After all, you've likely been driving for decades, and it's not easy to give up that freedom and accept a decline in your abilities.

However, in 2019, more than 250,000 older adults (age 65+) were treated in emergency rooms for sustaining injuries after a car crash. Therefore, it's important to look for alternative forms of transportation when you reach a point where driving presents an increased risk.

Here are the top signs that will help you understand when it may be time to hang up the keys and stop driving.

Many grandparents want to help their grandchildren financially but are not sure where to begin or are unaware of the various options available to them. Whether your grandchildren are toddlers or college students, there are several ways to help start them on the right path toward financial success.

Traveling can be a great way to keep in touch with your grandparenting duties. Whether you are an aunt, uncle, or grandparent, here are a few tips on how to prepare for a trip with the grandkids, especially if they are little ones that are seven years or younger. The most important thing to remember is that you are always in charge. Also, these younger kids may challenge and test your patience. Just remember that you love them and that they really can't help it sometimes! By following the tips in this article, you can create a trip that is fun and safe for everyone.

Finally! It is time to put some thought into retirement. Not only saving up for it but how we intend to manage time and make the most of it. For many, retirement is the perfect time to explore what you love most. In previous blogs, we've discussed in greater depth why it is important to create your personalized retirement bucket list, as well as ten ideas you could include. In this post, we'll detail ten more ideas to help get your own retirement bucket list started!

Benjamin Franklin famously said, "…in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes." A corollary to this could be, "It's a certainty that families hate to talk about death and money."

Discussing money seems to be a challenging subject for even the most talkative families. A study showed that 44% of respondents found money the most challenging topic to talk about, more than religion or politics or even death. Yet, talking about money with others, especially family members, could help avoid significant financial problems.

Parents of adult children face two crucial money conversations – your money and their money.

In our recent blog, 5 Ideas to Safely Celebrate the Holidays During COVID-19, we mentioned that playing games on a Zoom call is a fun way to safely stay in contact and have fun with family and friends. While there are endless games that can be played over Zoom, here is a list of ten games and instructions on how to play each game:

When I was five, my parents made a fateful decision. They invited my widowed great-aunt to live with us.

My mother's parents had both died by the time she was twelve. She was adopted by her Aunt Lillian and Uncle George, who lived in a large Newark, New Jersey brownstone with Lillian's parents. A three-generation household came into being.

By the time my mom and dad were married, her grandparents and Uncle George had passed away. When my father was transferred to Dallas, mom and dad felt anxious that Aunt Lil would be alone in Newark. So began our 17-year stint as our own three-generation family.

The situation had its ups and downs. Lil had a bedroom of her own, but that was her only private space, which was probably difficult for her. Childless herself, she seemed to compete with my mom for the title of family matriarch. Reminiscing years later, my mom said that was the most challenging aspect of the arrangement.

From a child's perspective, three generations living under one roof seemed normal. It drilled into me the value of "we take care of our own." While the whole family pitched in, my mother was the primary caregiver all the way to the point where Aunt Lil was bed-ridden. It wasn't until Lil acquired bedsores that my parents arranged for a skilled nursing home. Ironically, the day before she was to move in, she died.

This experience drove home for me the sometimes complicated nature of a multigenerational household. While we gained much as a family, it was also stressful. Therefore, families must carefully consider the implications of older parents moving in with their adult children.

As the United States enters the tenth month in quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the holiday season will look different this year.

Within the past month, coronavirus cases have risen. November 3rd, 2020, marked a record high of 100,667 COVID-19 hospitalizations. As of the beginning of December, the U.S. has had 14,736,470 reported cases of COVID-19 and 285,280 deaths.

After Thanksgiving, there have been reported spikes of coronavirus cases, most likely caused by college students going home and families gathering, as usual. With Thanksgiving in the past, the temperatures will continue to drop, and the opportunities to gather outside will soon be even more limited for many states. Now, looking forward to Hanukkah, Christmas, and the new year, extra safety precautions must be taken to ensure others' safety.

While it is disappointing to break holiday traditions, there are still ways to celebrate the holidays safely. Now is the time to make new traditions and continue showing love and appreciation for loved ones.

Spending time with your grandchildren is so lovely. Unfortunately, it can be challenging to keep them occupied and attentive, and all too often, you hear that they are bored. This is especially challenging during the winter season when they may not be able to do many of their favorite outdoor activities. If you are looking for ideas to spend quality time together over the coming cold months, don't worry! This article outlines ten fantastic ideas that will not only keep them occupied but help you build cherished memories together too.

Whether you live with your grandchildren or are visiting via Zoom or other virtual meeting tools, there are many fun and engaging things that can be done with your grandchildren. These activities can be teaching experiences in many ways. Even the youngest grandchild will do well listening to your voice as you tell stories or read to them. To help get you started, here are some of my favorite activities to do with grandchildren, even if we are not in the same room: