November is National Family Caregivers Month in Orlando: Five Ways to Celebrate

by Michele Moon

November is National Family Caregivers Month, a proclamation first declared by President Barack Obama in 2013.

Its purpose is to recognize the millions of regular Americans – and tens of thousands of Floridians – who provide care to disabled, ill, or elderly family members on a regular basis.

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Here at OrlandoSeniorHousing.com, the two of us – Lisa D'Aloise and Michele Moon – regularly work with family caregivers who are helping their senior parents or spouse navigate the complexities of day-to-day living.

When the time comes for that older parent to seek new housing, the adult children or the spouse typically turn to us for help in selling the older adult's home and preparing them for a move (downsizing) to either a family member's home or an assisted living community or retirement community in Orlando, Oviedo, Winter Park, Winter Springs, Altamonte Springs, Sanford, or anywhere across Orange County and Central Florida.

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We are continually amazed at the hard work, patience, and love exhibited by the Florida family caregivers we meet with on a regular basis. As such, we wanted to make you aware of this holiday and urge you to do something special for Orlando family caregivers – or if you're a family caregiver yourself – do something special for YOU.

Here are a few ideas on how to celebrate National Family Caregivers Month in Orange County.

1) If you own or manage a local business, consider offering a free service or product for family caregivers through the month of November. (Note: This is one of our favorite ideas. Local businesses can do a lot with this and it's great promotion and a win-win for a business!)

2) Send a thank you card, bouquet of flowers, or basket of treats to brighten up a family caregiver’s day.

3) Volunteer to make Thanksgiving dinner for a caregiver family you know.

4) The holiday season is upon us soon and it's a busy time for everyone, including family caregivers from Oviedo to Lake Mary. Ask a caregiver you know how you can help them prepare for the holidays. Perhaps help with decorations, shopping, or just basic tasks so they have time to take care of the holiday jobs.

5) The most important commodity to any family caregiver is typically TIME, so offer to provide some respite care or sit with their family member to allow the caregiver some time off and a break for a day or night, or what have you.

Learn More About Preparing for a Late-in-Life Move

At OrlandoSeniorHousing.com, it's our job as Certified Senior Housing Professionals (real estate agents in Oviedo and Orlando who specialize in working with seniors and family caregivers) to help older adults and those who support them prepare for a late-in-life transition.

Please feel free to contact us anytime for advice and information with no obligation.

The link below contains links to a number of resources in Orlando, Orange County, and Central Florida for family caregivers, including respite care, help with benefits, and much more.

Caregivng Resources in Orlando: The Senior Resource Alliance

Orlando Mother's Day 2014 Gift Ideas, Events, Activities, Restaurants and Brunches

by Michele Moon

Whether your mother is living on her own independently in Central Florida or the resident of a retirement community in Orlando or assisted living facility, Mother's Day in Orlando is, of course, a special day for her and you.

I've compiled a list of Mother's Day gift ideas for senior citizens along with links to Mother's Day brunches & other activities in Orlando, Winter Park, Altamonte Springs, and all across our area. Enjoy and Happy Mother's Day 2014 to you.

We Specialize in Home Sales and Real Estate Services for Seniors on the Move and All Adults 55+ in Central Florida

Mother's Day Gift ideas for Seniors

Memory Jar

Grab a jar, decorate it nicely, find some small pieces of paper or cards, and pause to think. On each card, write a quick sentence detailing a fond memory of time you spent with her. It could be something from childhood or anything at all. She'll love picking one out once in awhile and smiling at a cherished memory.

Photo Bouquet

Sure, mom will love some beautiful, fresh, real flowers. But make her a photo bouquet also. Even if you're not especially "crafty," this is pretty easy to do. Cut a few shapes out of construction paper and make copies of some of your favorite, family photographs, be they "vintage" or ones you snap today with your smartphone or digital camera. Glue one photograph to each piece of construction paper, and drop by a florist and ask to buy some of the plastic sticks they use to attach cards to their floral arrangements. They should be happy to sell you a few, especially if you also purchase an Orlando Mother's Day floral arrangement from them!

Freezer Meals


If Mom is a bit older and living independently in Lake Mary, Longwood, Oviedo, or anywhere in central Florida, she'll probably appreciate you saving her from cooking. Spend some time on Mom and prepare her several casseroles, bags of vegetable treats, or other meal ideas that can be easily stored in a freezer and reheated.  

Mother's Day 2014 Brunches in Orlando

Of course, Mom will love spending time with you at the time-honored tradition of a Mother's Day brunch. From Downtown Orlando to Maitland, Sand Lake, Apopka, Sanford, and more, here are some places to take your Mom or elderly parents for Mother's Day in Orange County. 

OpenTable.com: Orlando Restaurants Open for Mother's Day Brunches

This Sounds Fun!

Mother's Day Brunch at the Enzian Theater

Take Mom to the Mother’s Day Brunch on Sunday, May 11th for a special screening of the classic film FUNNY GIRL, starring Barbra Streisand! All guests will enjoy one complimentary Mimosa, live music by The Cook Trio, and a delectable brunch buffet. Individual Film & Brunch Tickets: $35 Kids 12 and under: $20.

More Orlando Mother's Day Events & Activities

Mother's Day Art Show & Sale in Winter Garden

Our friends at Serenades West Orange memory care assisted living in Winter Garden invite families of Serenades residents & the public to join them for the Mother's Day Art Show and Sale from 2:00 pm-4:00 pm. Family pictures will also be taken. Please RSVP to the concierge at 407-416-8680.

Happy Orlando Mother's Day from the Estate Conversions Team!

We Specialize in Home Sales and Service for Seniors on the Move in Central Florida

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Orlando Adults and Long Term Care Insurance Information

by Michele Moon

Central Florida baby boomers – those between the ages of 49 and 67 – and even older, senior adults, face the question of whether or not to purchase a long term care insurance policy.

Less than 20% of older adults have such a policy, a number that means many older people in Florida could spend long years living in less-than-ideal situations.

We Specialize in Home Sales and Services for Orlando Adults 55+

A very real possibility is that those without long term care insurance could be forced to spend down all of their assets before qualifying for Medicare. According to the National Clearinghouse for Long-Term Care Information, about 70% of people over age 65 require some type of long-term care in their lifetime.

That means your house, savings, and all assets liquidated in order to pay for any assisted housing needs that may arise.

Here are some basic facts that explain long term care insurance. I thought the infographics do a fine job of explaining more numbers:

And here's another

If you're an Orlando-area adult 55+ or the family caregiver of an older senior adult, Lisa and I - The Estate Conversions Team - are specifically trained as Certified Senior Housing Professionals. That means we do far more than simply help people buy or sell a house in Orlando. Feel free to contact us anytime for information and advice on preparing for your future as it pertains to real estate, senior housing, and any other issues that involve a late-in-life move for those 55+. 

If we don't know the answer or can't help specifically, we'll refer you to other resources, organizations, or professionals who can be of service. Find us here or fill out the form to the right of this page.

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