Faith & Family

Fun fall activities for grandparents and their grandkids

The fall season is a great time for grandparents and grandchildren to do all the things that make this time of year special. With the changing weather and colorful scenery, there are plenty of ways for families to bond.

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Grandkid and grandparent picking pumpkins.
Showing 1–51 of 51
  • Grandkid and grandparent picking pumpkins.
    Faith & Family

    Fun fall activities for grandparents and their grandkids

    The fall season is a great time for grandparents and grandchildren to do all the things that make this time of year special. With the changing weather and colorful scenery, there are plenty of ways for families to bond.

    Read article
  • Navigating the life changes of aging
    Faith & Family

    Navigating the life changes of aging

    Getting older can be challenging, but aging with grace is possible when we have faith as our foundation. Chaplain Christopher Kringen says being adaptable and facing changes with a positive attitude is crucial.

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  • 7 ways to connect with your grandkids
    Faith & Family

    7 ways to connect with your grandkids

    You can be so much more to your grandchildren than just candy givers, toy buyers and kid spoilers.
    Read article
  • Rev. Phil McGarvey, chaplain at Good Samaritan Society – Loveland Village in Loveland, Colorado
    Faith & Family

    How to stay connected with God during your retirement years

    Retirement can bring ups and downs, requiring people to adjust as they look for meaning and purpose. Staying close to God is especially important during this season of life.
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  • Woman holding tablet taking photo of grandfather and grandson doing crafts.
    Faith & Family

    How to start preserving your family history

    Our family narrative tells the stories of who we are. When we look back on memories from birthday parties, graduations, weddings and other special moments, we are provided with a greater sense of self.
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  • Signs your parent needs help at home
    Faith & Family

    Signs your parent needs help at home

    Read about potential signs that your loved one needs assistance at home as well as five things you can do to help.
    Read article
  • Daughter talking with her mother in a apartment kitchen
    Faith & Family

    Tips for talking to your parents about getting in-home medical care

    Use the following conversation starters to help you talk about how home care could benefit your mom or dad — and you.
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  • Cooking with grandkids
    Faith & Family

    Healthy meals to cook with your grandkids

    Cooking with grandkids can be a fun, rewarding and memorable experience. Learn how to make the most of your moments in the kitchen together.
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  • Hands on an open Bible.
    Faith & Family

    Thinking about forming a Bible study? Start here.

    Trying to start a Bible study? It’s easy to get lost in the logistics and feel overwhelmed.
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  • Light filtering in through window onto a table with a bible, coffee mug and flowers.
    Faith & Family

    Renew your strength in the Lord

    Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts ... and be thankful.

    – Colossians 3:15 (NIV)

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  • Questions for grandparents to ask their grandchildren
    Faith & Family

    Questions for grandparents to ask their grandchildren

    When talking to your grandkids, help them express a range of emotions — happy, sad, frustrated or amused. And be open to listening to any topic.
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  • Caregivers and provider talking.
    Faith & Family

    What staff members need to know about family caregivers

    Family members and friends who are responsible for looking after and helping their loved ones are an extremely valuable part of the care team for Good Samaritan Society residents living in long-term care.
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  • Family at Christmas time
    Faith & Family

    How caregivers and older adults can cope with holiday stress

    Many caregivers and older adults struggle with stress during the holidays. Find strategies for coping with the stress of the season here.
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  • Person holding gift bags with Christmas tree in background
    Faith & Family

    Thoughtful gift ideas for seniors

    Buying Christmas gifts for seniors or grandparents can be a thoughtful and rewarding experience. But it can also be difficult! When buying gifts for seniors or grandparents in your life, think about your loved one’s hobbies, interests and preferences.
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  • Older mother and daughter having a meaningful conversation while standing in the kitchen enjoying coffee.
    Faith & Family

    5 ways to be an active listener

    Research shows that social isolation takes a toll on our mental health, well-being and quality of life, especially as we age. Thanks to advancements in technology, we are able to stay connected with loved ones through to texting, social media and video-chats. While that type of connection is important, in-person connections are still vital for older adults.
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  • Older senior couple sitting together looking at a computer as go through advance care planning.
    Faith & Family

    The importance of advance care planning and directives

    Advance directives are state-specific legal documents for communicating end-of-life and care wishes. Learn why it's important to create one and how to do so.
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  • Older man with his arms crossed and his head down in front of a Christmas tree
    Faith & Family

    How to cope with the holiday blues

    Everyone has a unique mix of life experiences, cultures, traditions and memories surrounding the holidays. Take time to acknowledge and value your perspective and the perspectives of others.
    Read article
  • Senior couple smiling as they wrap Christmas presents together.
    Faith & Family

    Alzheimer's and the holidays

    Although the holidays are a time for rejoicing, this time of year can be stressful for those with Alzheimer's. Read how to make the holidays more comfortable for people with memory loss.
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  • Darryl Guzman, Activities Director at Good Samaritan Society - Cedar Lake Village
    Faith & Family

    What feels like the end is often the beginning

    On a Monday back in March of 2020, I was clocking back in after lunch at Cedar Lake Village when I noticed a sign on the wall that caught my attention.
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  • Senior woman contemplating a decision as she sits on the couch.
    Faith & Family

    Coping with grief

    When someone you love dies, the grief can feel overwhelming. Take steps toward healing while remembering and honoring your loved one with these five strategies.
    Read article
  • Daughter talking with her mother as they enjoy the patio.
    Faith & Family

    How do you talk to someone who has Alzheimer’s?

    No matter how deeply we care about friends or family, Alzheimer’s disease or dementia can make us uncomfortable — especially when we don’t fully understand it.
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  • Group of older adults laughing and enjoying conversation at a church service.
    Faith & Family

    10 ways to boost your mood

    We all face times in our lives when we feel overwhelmed by worry, uncertainty, loss or loneliness. To cope with life’s ups and downs, use these 10 tips to boost your mood and stay positive.
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  • God’s love endures forever
    Faith & Family

    God’s love endures forever

    Researchers who study such things say it usually takes at least five times before you begin to remember the information. Of course, the longer the list or sentence, the more times it can take for even those with great abilities to commit it to memory.
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  • Missionaries wherever we are
    Faith & Family

    Missionaries wherever we are

    Scripture teaches us that we can be a witness to Christ no matter where we are.
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  • Senior resident embracing a smiling staff member.
    Faith & Family

    The Good Samaritan - none other than Jesus himself

    March 13 marks Good Samaritan Day – a fitting time for the Good Samaritan Society to celebrate our namesake.
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  • How to cope when your spouse is facing health issues
    Faith & Family

    How to cope when your spouse is facing health issues

    Cathy Rosch’s relationship with her husband, George, shifted when he suffered a traumatic brain injury and she became his caregiver.
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  • A wintery, Christmas scene with snow blowing and beautiful lights brightening the trees.
    Faith & Family

    A Christmas devotional

    “And the Word became flesh and lived among us.” John 1:14 (NRSV)
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  • Multi-generational family sitting on a couch taking a fun photo
    Faith & Family

    Do I need advance care planning?

    Not sure if you need to outline your healthcare preferences and end-of-life wishes?
    Read article
  • Mother and daughter snuggled close under a white blanket looking out.
    Faith & Family

    How do you know if you’re a caregiver?

    You check the mail for Mom since you're already at the post office.
    Read article
  • Three lit candles with decorative lights in the background
    Faith & Family

    Grieving the loss of a loved one over the holidays

    After losing a loved one, the Christmas season can be a challenging time to grieve and heal. You may experience a wide array of emotions that become especially difficult to process amid festive holiday décor, gatherings and activities.
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  • GSS Prescott - Lucy and Granddaughter
    Faith & Family

    Challenges stack up for sandwich generation caregivers

    With the population of Americans over 65 growing steadily, the number of adults who care for an aging parent while also caring for their children is increasing, too.
    Read article
  • Stock image of a woman using a laptop
    Faith & Family

    Long-distance caregiving brings unique challenges

    Caregiving from a distance can be complicated. Whether the task is big or small, helping from a distance adds layers of complexity to any task. But you're not alone.
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  • Nativity scene with the verse Luke 2:13
    Faith & Family

    The Ultimate Gift

    In the midst of Christmas busyness this year, take a moment to remember God’s Ultimate Gift to you: his one and only Son.
    Read article
  • Fear is knocking — do not open the door
    Faith & Family

    Fear is knocking — do not open the door

    Have you ever had someone knock on your front door and when you peek through your peephole, it's someone you don’t want to see? You hope they didn't hear you coming to the door or the kids talking or maybe the dog barking. You wait to see if they will go away, but they knock even harder. So you open the door and let them in. They settle in and make themselves at home. You wish they would leave, but they won't go — after all, you let them in.
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  • Mother’s Day gift ideas
    Faith & Family

    Mother’s Day gift ideas

    This year might still look a little different, but it’s important to take time to celebrate the women who make your life better.
    Read article
  • The power in acceptance
    Faith & Family

    The power in acceptance

    When you’re dealing with challenging circumstances, there’s a power and freedom that come with acceptance. We asked the Rev. Greg Wilcox, senior pastor at the Good Samaritan Society, to share his insights.
    Read article
  • Amid COVID concerns, plan ahead and consult family when contemplating a change of address
    Faith & Family

    Amid COVID concerns, plan ahead and consult family when contemplating a change of address

    There are always going to be at least two parts to the decision to move.
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  • Are you ready to ‘fare well’?
    Faith & Family

    Are you ready to ‘fare well’?

    Too often, if a health crisis occurs, we do not have a power of attorney, an advanced directive, or the reassurance of prior conversations with our family about our wishes in case of illness or death.
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  • Preventing elderspeak when addressing older adults
    Faith & Family

    Preventing elderspeak when addressing older adults

    While many caregivers feel like speaking in a cheerful, simple way or using terms of endearment shows they care, many older adults are less than receptive to this manner of speech.
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  • 4 ways to grow in your faith
    Faith & Family

    4 ways to grow in your faith

    As people of faith, it’s important to nurture our spiritual side. But many of us tend to get comfortable doing the same type of faith practice year after year.
    Ways to grow your faith
  • Simple ways to pay it forward
    Faith & Family

    Simple ways to pay it forward

    Hebrews 10:24 (NIV) encourages us to be an example for others to follow.
    Read article
  • 7 encouraging Bible verses
    Faith & Family

    7 encouraging Bible verses

    Rev. Dr. Julie Berndt of the Good Samaritan Society and Sanford Health shares Scripture verses to bolster your spiritual health if you are living with a long-term illness or caring for someone who is.
    Read article
  • A lesson in grace
    Faith & Family

    A lesson in grace

    I have 8-year-old twin boys, Jeremiah and Joshua. They look completely different from each other, and yes, they act completely different, too.
    Read article
  • Tips for building a prayer
    Faith & Family

    Tips for building a prayer

    Have you ever been asked to lead a prayer, out loud, in public? Were you prepared?
    Read article
  • Break the silence around domestic violence
    Faith & Family

    Break the silence around domestic violence

    Any incident of domestic violence is unacceptable.
    Read article
  • 6 fun ideas to bring children, older adults together
    Faith & Family

    6 fun ideas to bring children, older adults together

    Want to help your children interact with older adults? Want a better relationship with your grandchildren? Consider these ideas as you brainstorm fun activities.
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  • The best states for family caregivers
    Faith & Family

    The best states for family caregivers

    Caring.com says 10 states are doing the best job of easing the financial burden on caregivers of older adults and providing mental, emotional and physical support.
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  • What about prayer?
    Faith & Family

    What about prayer?

    These days we schedule almost everything. There is a system or methodology for almost every aspect of our lives.
    Read article
  • Death does not have the final word. God does. [slideshow]
    Faith & Family

    Death does not have the final word. God does. [slideshow]

    A life well lived includes dying well; that is, having spiritual, emotional, physical and social needs met at the time of a loved one's death.
    Read article
  • 26 questions to spark great conversations
    Faith & Family

    26 questions to spark great conversations

    Whether it’s strangers at the table, family members at a reunion or new co-workers in the hallway, we all have people we struggle to make conversation with.
    Read article
  • Let prayer outshine worry
    Faith & Family

    Let prayer outshine worry

    In the book of Philippians, Paul is writing to people in a church in Philippi. The Philippians are struggling, and Paul himself is in prison.
    Read article

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