Resource Hub

Making confident decisions about senior living starts with having the right information. Here, you’ll find a thoughtfully curated collection of articles, webinars, and trusted external resources. Consider this your go-to source for expert guidance and meaningful advice.

Aging

Senior woman with seasonal affective disorder looking out window

Aging

Seasonal Depression in Seniors

When the weather turns cold, days grow shorter, holiday festivities end, or the sun isn’t shining as much as it does in warmer months, many people start to feel sad. It could be a case of the winter blues, but it might mean something else. Seasonal affective disorder is common in all ages and can…

a senior woman uses a laptop for lifelong learning

Aging

How Lifelong Learning Helps You as You Age

As the proverb goes: “You’re never too old to learn. That said, living in a college town may be your fountain of youth. This is especially true when you choose to live at Westminster in Austin, Texas, where you’ll have access to programs within the Westminster community as well as the courses at the University…

a man laughs as he practices laughter yoga

Aging

How Laughter Yoga Can Benefit Seniors

There’s a reason we’ve all heard the phrase, “Laughter is the best medicine.” Laughing can provide everything from stress relief, improved circulation and muscle relaxation to actual pain relief. In fact, laughter has been shown to improve senior health overall. So it’s no joke that more and more people are taking laughter yoga seriously as…

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Community Life

Community Life

Advantages of Living in a Nonprofit Independent Living Community

As we age, the concept of community takes on a new level of importance. Finding a place to call home in retirement involves considering various factors, including the type of community we want to be a part of. If you’re looking for a community where your needs and wants are prioritized above profit, a nonprofit…

Westminster resident inside her apartment

Community Life

Tips for Decorating Your Senior Living Apartment

Moving to a senior apartment typically means downsizing from a house or larger living space. Of course, the sacrifice in personal space is well worth it when you think about the many amenities a Life Plan Community offers and the amount of acreage you have right outside your apartment door – all of which is…

Community Life

What You Need to Know Before Moving into Independent Living

Older adults are choosing to move into retirement communities while they’re still healthy and active. It’s a lifestyle choice that allows them to take advantage of life-enriching amenities and services now, with access to a continuum of senior care before they need it. This is one of the best-kept secrets of senior living: You don’t…

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Dementia & Alzheimer’s

Senior woman reaching out her hand to a staff employee

Dementia & Alzheimer’s

Assisted Living Versus Memory Support: Breaking Down the Distinctions

Selecting the right senior care option for your loved one couldn’t be more important, but of course sometimes these options can seem a little confusing. At Westminster, we’re often asked about the differences between our community’s assisted living and memory Support — including the level of support each provides and the distinct needs they cater…

Dementia & Alzheimer’s

Spotlight: Alzheimer’s Advocacy Week

For years, Westminster has proudly supported the Alzheimer’s Association, which provides care and support to the more than five million Americans with Alzheimer’s and their over 15 million caregivers. It is a cause that is close to our hearts at Westminster. In a record-breaking year, 2015, Westminster employees and residents raised over $30,000 for the cause. Last week, Alzheimer’s advocates converged in our…

Education

Senior man has his blood pressure monitored by caregiver

Education

10 Signs It’s Time to Consider Assisted Living for Your Loved One

Deciding when to transition a loved one to assisted living is a profound and often challenging decision. The reality is, as seniors age, their needs may change; and this can often require a shift in living arrangements to ensure their safety, health and overall well-being. At Westminster, we understand how emotional and deeply personal it…

Senior man and women embrace each other and smile fondly at one another

Education

Why Choose a Senior Living Life Plan Community Like Westminster Over a Rental Community?

As you or your loved one explores senior living options in Austin, Texas, one of the most important choices you’ll make is the type of community to call home. While rental-based senior living communities may offer flexibility, Life Plan Communities—like Westminster—provide a more comprehensive, future-focused approach that delivers unmatched peace of mind, financial predictability, and…

Education

How to Decide Between Independent Living and Assisted Living

If you’re researching senior living options for yourself or an aging parent, understanding what’s offered with various levels of living can help you make an informed decision. If you’re on the fence about how to decide between independent living and assisted living, learning more can help you select the right senior living situation for yourself…

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Financial/Legal

Couple dines together at a table while smiling chef looks on

Financial/Legal

Life Care at Westminster: A Smarter, More Secure Future

Planning for retirement means more than just finding a great place to live — it’s about ensuring security, financial stability, and peace of mind for the future. At Westminster in Austin, Life Care is more than a concept — it’s a promise: the assurance that if your health needs ever change, you’ll never have to…

Financial/Legal

Understanding the Cost of Senior Living in Austin, Texas

It’s no secret, Austin is booming. Our city currently holds a spot in the list of the top 10 most populous cities in the United States. It also has a 14.4% growth rate, the fastest growth rate in the country. And it’s not just young people deciding to call Austin home. Between 2010 and 2020,…

Health Care

Health Care

Skilled Nursing Myths: Separating Fact from Fiction

Skilled nursing communities bring to mind many different ideas, not all of them positive. Some people might think of dull facilities with inactive patients. Others might imagine a hospital-like setting with terminally ill patients. Some of this is understandable, but skilled nursing communities have come a long way and seen significant improvements over the years….

Health Care

6 Tips to Give Your Immune System a Boost

A strong immune system can help you fight off infections and bounce back more quickly from illnesses. As we age our immune systems become less efficient, here are some ways you can boost your immunity for better health. Wash your hands. Washing your hands thoroughly and often can help prevent the spread of disease-causing germs…

Planning Ahead

Planning Ahead

Where Community Thrives: The Evolution of Westminster Austin

Westminster, Austin’s premier Life Plan Community, is more than just a place to live — it’s a dynamic, engaged, and supportive environment where residents thrive. Since its founding in 1967, Westminster has grown through strategic expansions, innovative services, and leadership’s deep commitment to wellness, connection, and purposeful living. Today, it stands as a leading example…

Elderly couple embrace while standing in their Westminster apartment

Planning Ahead

Relocation Made Easy: Tips for Selling Your Home and Moving to Westminster

Making the move to Westminster means embracing a lifestyle of ease, security, and connection — but getting there can feel overwhelming at first. Whether you’re planning for yourself or helping a loved one navigate the transition, Westminster is here to make the process smooth and stress-free. From preparing your home for sale to settling into…

Planning Ahead

Demystifying Skilled Nursing Care: What You Need to Know

There’s a lot to navigate when it comes to skilled nursing care — from understanding the differences between short-term and long-term care and being prepared financially, to knowing how to evaluate your options and be the best advocate for your loved one. So, it’s not surprising that there are also many questions surrounding this specialized…

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Senior Living Features & Services

Senior Living Features & Services

Services and Amenities That Make Senior Living Even Better

It’s no secret that independent living communities provide a wealth of convenient services and amenities that make life easier and more fulfilling. In fact, at Westminster we like to say it’s like living year-round at a resort. Because senior living communities offer so many benefits, we’re giving you just a glimpse of what you can…

Wellness & Wellbeing

Westminster resident doing water aerobics

Wellness & Wellbeing

Staying Active in Your 70s and Beyond. How Life at Westminster Keeps You Thriving

At Westminster in Austin, we believe that growing older means growing into new possibilities. Your 70s and beyond can be some of your most vibrant, fulfilling years — and staying active is the key to living them well. Whether it’s fitness, creativity, social connection, or lifelong learning, Westminster makes it easier and more enjoyable to…

Wellness & Wellbeing

5 Vital Fitness Tips for Seniors: Stay Active and Thriving

Aging gracefully is about living with energy, staying engaged, and making every day count. Getting the proper amount of exercise and keeping physically active can help you do just that. Let’s take a look at five essential fitness tips for seniors to help you keep moving and thriving. 1. Consult with a Healthcare Professional…

Wellness & Wellbeing

How Often Should You Visit a Parent in Assisted Living?

The decision to move a parent or loved one into an assisted living or memory support community is not an easy one to make. Some people feel relieved that their loved one will receive the care they need, and others might feel guilty that they cannot provide that care themselves. As you and your loved…

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