The Home Happenings blog
Ideas for a good week at home
For seniors and the adult children who book for them.
For families
What to do with an aging parent who doesn't want to leave the house
When Mom or Dad stops wanting to go out, the answer is rarely to push harder. Here is what tends to work instead, from families who have been there.
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For families
Tech help for seniors: the first 8 things worth learning on a phone or tablet
Bigger text, video calls, photos, spotting scams and four more phone and tablet skills worth learning first, one step at a time.
October 11, 2026
For families
How to talk to a parent about trying something new
Scripts to borrow, phrases to avoid, and how to handle the first no when you want Mom or Dad to try a new activity.
October 9, 2026
For families
Best in-home activities for seniors in Essex County, NJ
A local guide to the activities older adults in Montclair, Maplewood, Livingston and nearby towns actually enjoy at home, with what each one involves and what it costs.
October 9, 2026
For families
Learning piano after 70: is it too late?
No, it isn't too late. An honest look at what older beginners can realistically play, what's harder, what's easier, and how a first lesson goes.
October 7, 2026
For families
Chair yoga at home for seniors: what a first session actually looks like
What to have ready, what the teacher asks, and the breathing, warm ups and seated poses you can expect in a first chair yoga session at home.
October 5, 2026
For families
How to give a parent lessons as a gift
Lessons at home make one of the best gifts for a parent who has everything. Here is how to pick the right one, how much to give, and how to make sure it actually gets used.
October 5, 2026
For families
Gift ideas for parents who have everything (that aren't more stuff)
When Mom or Dad already owns everything, give time instead. Lessons, recorded life stories, game nights and other gifts that don't need a shelf.
October 3, 2026
For families
Mahjong, bridge and canasta: why card games are good for the brain
Card and tile games keep older adults thinking, talking and laughing. Here is what the research suggests, and how to get a game going at home.
October 1, 2026
For families
Recording a parent's life story before it's too late
How to capture a parent's stories in their own voice, what to ask, what to do with the recordings, and when it helps to bring in a guide.
September 27, 2026
For families
Personal training at home after 70: what to expect
What an in-home trainer actually does with an older adult, how the first visit works, what equipment you need, and how to choose the right pro.
September 23, 2026