NEWS & ARTICLES

How to Choose the Right Retirement Community

Choosing a Retirement Community Here are 3 steps to help you in selecting the right community for your future. Choosing a Retirement Community can be an exciting venture. How to select the best retirement community for you can be a great experience. There are many options available out there. Several considerations should guide your decision when searching for the ideal retirement community. Here are some guidelines to consider as you

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How to Choose the Right Retirement Community

Choosing a Retirement Community Here are 3 steps to help you in selecting the right community for your future. Choosing a Retirement Community can be an exciting venture. How to select the best retirement community for you can be a great experience. There are many options available out there. Several considerations should guide your decision when searching for the ideal retirement community. Here are some guidelines to consider as you decide. Follow the ABCs…… Availability of Programs A – is for Availability, when choosing a retirement community look at the programs that are available to you. What are your interests and how does the retirement community’s activities match up to you? Example; trips, outdoor amenities, transportation, etc. At BayWoods of Annapolis, we pride ourselves on offering a wide range of programs that will keep you engaged. The town of Annapolis is rich in culture and yet has many sporting events close by. To look at all we have to offer, contact us. Bountifulness of Support Services B – is for Bountiful, you want to choose a retirement community that offers you the right amount of support services on site for your future needs. At BayWoods of Annapolis, we believe that

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What’s for Dinner? 5 Things Your Retirement Community Should Offer.

Retirement Community  Menu Diet and food choices are obviously critical to a long life with good health, so it’s important to know that your retirement community is offering food choices that you’ll be eager to consume. We’ll outline the top five things you should consider about potential retirement communities when it comes to dining. Preparing food for a large group of seniors can present some interesting challenges.  Factors such as medication side effects, special dietary requirements, decreased ability to taste, and providing obese or underweight residents viable meals are all considerations.  Even with these challenges, it is possible to ensure your retirement community offers the selections you are seeking.  Here’s how: Does your retirement community involve residents in menu planning? Is a nutritionist involved in meal planning?  Many communities have food committees where residents assist chefs with meal suggestions or recipes.  These suggestions are then often reviewed by a nutritionist to ensure the meals meet certain vitamins, minerals, and caloric requirements. Flexible Dining Schedule or Multiple Dining Rooms? Flexibility is important so that residents can adopt a schedule that is conducive to their preferences.  Some communities, like Baywoods of Annapolis, offer several dining venues to accommodate a variety of preferences.

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Checklist for Amenities at Retirement Communities

Retirement Communities Checklist Each of us has personal preferences for the types of activities and amenities we prefer. Use this helpful checklist to compare and evaluate the retirement communities you visit and to assist you with the decision-making process or contact Baywoods of Annapolis for more information! Location: Community is in an area near family/friends Community is convenient to shopping, dining, and entertainment Community provides easy access to hospital, physicians, and other medical care Campus: Well Lit (Walkways, Parking Lots, Entrances) Handicap Accessible Parking for personal vehicles and guests Landscaping and community areas are well maintained Fitness center on-site Swimming pool Community hall for larger gatherings Services: Independent living through long-term care Transportation available to local areas Nutritionist/Chef on-site Dining menus varied Dining accommodates special dietary needs Care: Assisted Living Wellness Services Financial: Monthly Fees or Dues? Buy-in Fees? Care Fees? Are Tax and Interest Deductible? Can you build equity? Are there estate advantages? To schedule a personal tour of Baywoods of Annapolis, contact us today! For easier use, please download and print the Checklist here!

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Is Your Retirement Community Pet-Friendly?

Pet Friendly Retirement Community Pets can bring so much joy and help relieve anxiety and stress.  In this article, we’ll review how to make sure your retirement community is well-aligned with the needs of you and your pet. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize that pets can be comforting companions, particularly as we grow older.   Walking a dog can provide great exercise, loving companionship, and help provide purpose.  So, you may wonder why a retirement community would have policies against pets?  As it turns out, there are some very valid things to consider, on both sides of the proverbial fence. One of the top priorities with a senior bringing a beloved pet to any community is to ensure that both the senior and their pets’ well-being is taken into consideration.  While pets can provide an array of benefits to their human parents, unfortunately, they can also present some challenges.  Seniors may not be able to continue to remember to properly medicate or feed their pets.  As the animal gets older, the pet may require special care or costly medications.  Getting them to a veterinarian for routine care may also be a challenge.  Furthermore, if you begin to experience

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Is Waterfront Retirement Living Right for Me?

Waterfront Retirement Living Choosing the right retirement community for yourself or a loved one can be a challenging undertaking. With so many options available, we often feel overwhelmed. Waterfront retirement living has its advantages – could it be the perfect option for you? Check out these benefits of choosing to live retired life next to the water. Location, Location, Location, the waterfront atmosphere Water is known for its ability to create a serene atmosphere. After the hustle and bustle of our working years, a little tranquility could be just what the doctor ordered. BayWoods of Annapolis residents enjoy their own amazing water view of the Chesapeake Bay. The campus has a private pier, complete with benches and immaculate landscaping. A putting green directly overlooking the Chesapeake Bay. The waterfront views provide the perfect place to relax and reflect. For more information on our cooperative living environment on the Chesapeake Bay, please contact us. Waterfront views and Events Everyday should be filled with fantastic scenery. On those special occasions to celebrate what better way than with a waterfront view? Take advantage of the water’s tranquility by using it as a backdrop. BayWoods of Annapolis welcomes the use of the wooded boardwalk

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Cooperative Senior Living Is Superior. Here’s Why.

Cooperative Senior Living We all reach a point in our lives when living in your home doesn’t seem like the best alternative. Sometimes not even safe. Many turn to senior living communities for an easier alternative lifestyle for assistance. Cooperative living is more or less the best of both worlds. Owning in a Co-Op offers benefits that traditional options lack. Here’s why you should consider a cooperative arrangement for your retiree. Your Living Space and Yes you own it. Seniors sometimes feel as if they’re losing autonomy when they move to senior living communities. In a cooperative living environment, residents can choose their own Apartment home and can customize their living space. Co-Ops provide a clear sense of ownership and a place to call home. Take a virtual tour of one of our living spaces. A Community for the Residents At BayWoods, the residents are the community. An elected board meets monthly to propose community improvements and organize well thought through budgets. Our Residents have the option of voting on proposals and shaping the future. Don’t take our word for it – come and see what we’re all about! It’s A Resort Lifestyle Unlike traditional senior living communities residents are

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Why Retirement Communities Extend Lives Over Living Alone

Retirement Community Living As humans, we are naturally social creatures.  As we grow older, the opportunities to socialize may be inhibited by health, mobility, and other factors.  Let’s explore how retirement communities enhance social environments and potentially extend life expectancy. Unlike the nursing home that your grandmother went to, today’s retirement communities have been reinvented to provide a wide range of activities, services, and amenities.   Still, many people have the impression that moving to a retirement community will require them to give up their independence and therefore, many people postpone or resist the decision.  However, not only are today’s communities driven to help you maintain independence, the services offered on-site typically allow you to regain your independence much quicker, after an illness or accident.  But, the social factors of living in a retirement community cannot be overlooked.  Here are a few reasons why: Socialization. Socialization is important at every stage of our life.  As babies and toddlers, socialization helps us to develop communication skills and learn from those around us.  In our later years, socialization is just as important and even helps to maintain these skills.  In addition, opportunities to socialize help reduce loneliness, establish friendships, relate and interact with

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Waterfront Retirement Living Provides Unique Lifestyle Opportunities

Waterfront Retirement Living While retiring to a golf course community may intrigue some, others prefer the views and activities associated with waterfront living.  In this article, we’ll highlight some of the popular activities available to those who choose waterfront retirement living. Whether you’ve lived in Maryland all of your life, or are venturing into new territories, Annapolis has consistently been ranked, year after year, as one of the nation’s “most charming small towns.”  Baywoods of Annapolis is a unique retirement community that provides easy access to Annapolis and all of its charms, along with a waterfront community that captures the beauty of the Chesapeake Bay. Baywoods of Annapolis offers a truly unique retirement living experience.  On Wednesday evenings, you can take a leisurely walk out to the boardwalk and pier and catch a glimpse of the infamous Wednesday night sailboat races, hosted by the Annapolis Yacht Club.  Up to 150 crews typically compete in the races and they mean business!  It’s fun to watch and a great way to spend Wednesday’s during the summer! Other waterfront activities include: Visit and tour the historic Naval Academy. Take a cruise out of the Annapolis Harbor to visit another local waterfront favorite, the

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Considering Program Options in Senior Living Communities

Senior Program Options When considering senior living options, the programming available can make a large difference in a senior citizen’s quality of life. Do the programs offer options that encourage a vital, healthy lifestyle? At BayWoods of Annapolis quality of life is very important, and we strive to offer our residents with a vast array of Senior Program Options.  We picked a few of our favorite programs for enriching a senior’s life to share with you below. Fitness Programs A good senior living arrangement offers a large variety of active programming that is suitable for all fitness levels. Some seniors may prefer the soothing benefits of low-impact water aerobics, while others may love a brisk walk in the open air. The quality of a living facility’s fitness schedule directly impacts a senior’s longevity, as participating in regular fitness activities promotes cardiovascular and mental health. Learning Options Just as it’s essential to participate in regular fitness, exercising our brains is an important aspect of remaining vital as we age. Senior living communities that offer top-quality learning options give residents a chance to maintain their mental health, while getting a chance to learn something new. BayWoods residents have the option of attending

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Checklist for Choosing a Retirement Community

Retirement Community Checklist Each of us has different lifestyles and priorities so, when it comes to choosing a retirement community, you want to be sure you’ve weighed all the pros and cons.  Baywoods of Annapolis is pleased to provide you with this checklist to use as you search for the right retirement community for you! Overall Community Considerations ✔Is the community located near friends or family who may visit? ✔Does the community offer different levels of care to accommodate changing health needs? ✔How has the community performed in recent state inspections? ✔Does the community allow pets? ✔Does the community provide transportation to doctors, shopping or other local activities? ✔What are the costs and fees? ✔Does the community offer a co-op program to provide additional financial benefits? ✔What types of culture, cuisine, and events are offered in the local community? Staff ✔Do they have time to speak with you or does it feel rushed? ✔Are staff members warm and pleasant when communicating with residents? ✔Does the staff look happy? Do they seem to enjoy interacting with one another? Quality & Care-Taking ✔Do residents look well cared for? Clean clothes, shaven, hair clean and brushed? ✔How is medication managed? Paper or computer

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