Blogs
Carol Cummings, RN, BSN, Expert on Aging Well
As Brookdale’s Senior Director of Optimum Life and Engagement, Carol believes senior living should empower residents to make choices that bring meaning and purpose to their lives.
Early in her nursing career, Carol developed a passion for working with older adults. After 15 years in hospital and home health settings, Carol took a position as the wellness director for a Brookdale community, a role she describes as her dream job. Her work in the community led to her current role where she supports the well-being of residents through program and service design and education related to Optimum Life, the foundation of how Brookdale approaches whole-person wellness.
Carol has been with Brookdale for 18 years, and during that time, she’s earned multiple awards for her programs, including the International Council on Active Aging Innovator Award and the Assisted Living Federation of America’s Best of the Best. As a Certified Wellness Coach and Certified Wellness Practitioner, Carol is an avid student and engaging teacher with a passion for challenging aging stereotypes and helping older adults continue to grow and live life with dignity and respect.
Suicide and the Elderly: Prevention Can Be Possible
In these uncertain times, suicide rates are rising among the elderly – but there is hope. In this month’s Optimum Life Continuing Education Series with Carol Cummings, Brookdale’s expert on aging, we’ll discuss prevention strategies for elderly suicide, including the five action steps to assist someone in emotional pain.
Low Vision: Impact to Day-to-Day Activities and Interventions
Did you know 15% of Americans over the age of 75 have some form of serious visual impairment? The August Optimum Life Continuing Education Series with Carol Cummings, Brookdale’s expert on aging, discusses effective intervention strategies helping those with low vision to live a better life.
Fighting Dementia with FOOD – MIND and Mediterranean Diets
Can eating a Mediterranean or MIND diet reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s? The July Optimum Life Continuing Education Series with Carol Cummings, Brookdale’s expert on aging, discusses the link between diet and brain health and the four things you can do now to start eating a brain-healthy diet.
The Four Best Practices for Creating a Welcoming Community for LGBT Seniors
In recognition of LGBT Pride Month, the June Optimum Life Continuing Education series with Carol Cummings, Brookdale’s expert on well-being in aging, discusses the four best practices to deliver person-centered care to LGBT seniors.
The Importance of Self-Care For Healthcare Professionals
When you’re responsible for taking care of the health of others, you have to take care of yourself. Why it is so important for healthcare professionals and caregivers to practice self-care, manage stress and maintain healthy habits even during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Continue Your Education with Brookdale
Did you know that Brookdale offers an Optimum Life Continuing Education series? Carol Cummings, Brookdale’s expert on aging, explains how healthcare professionals can attend classes for credit.
Four Tips for Combatting Loneliness in Older Adults
Loneliness can be just as harmful to your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, and research shows it is more prevalent among seniors. Carol Cummings, Brookdale’s expert on aging well, offers four tips for combatting feelings of loneliness.
More Than a Calendar of Activities: Three Tips for Resident Engagement
What activities are best for senior living? It’s a question Carol Cummings, Brookdale’s expert on aging, is asked a lot. In her latest blog, Carol explains why that question doesn’t have a simple answer, and why she believes there are three key components to successful resident engagement.
Surf the Net Safely: Six Tips for Avoiding Online Scams
It’s too easy to fall for internet scams, especially ones that target seniors. From fraudulent emails to sham websites, online scams can compromise your personal data or trick you into transferring funds for goods or services that you'll never receive. Carol Cummings, Brookdale’s expert on aging well, offers six tips for staying safe online.
How to Avoid Scams that Target Seniors: Three Red Flags to Watch For
Older adults lose an estimated $2.9 billion each year to financial scams, according to a report released by a Senate committee in January 2019. That’s why it’s important to know what red flags to watch out for. Carol Cummings, Brookdale’s expert on aging well, offers four tips for protecting yourself.