NEWS & ARTICLES

Your Brain Activity: How to Stay Mentally Sharp in Retirement

Stay Mentally Sharp in Retirement The role of mental health and longevity is well documented. Just as we need to exercise our bodies to protect cardiovascular and bone health, working out our brains is essential to preserving our mental, social, and emotional health. Mental Stimulation and Combating Alzheimer’s Alzheimer’s disease is very common today. It’s characterized by mild memory loss in the early stages and can progress to include a

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From Farm to Table: Nutrition Tips for Retirees

Nutrition Tips For Retirees Good nutrition is essential in our seniors to maintain an active, healthy fulfilling lifestyle. Our nutrition needs change as we age – and we often need less food overall, so making our choices nutrient-dense is vital to achieving a well-balanced diet. Follow these tips to maximize your nutrition. Why Is Good Nutrition Important? In our retirement years, our most important job is safeguarding our health. Calcium keeps our bones strong, while Omega 3s protect brain and cardiovascular health. To maintain a well-balanced diet, try following the Mediterranean Diet: Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, focusing on leafy greens; get protein from fish, legumes, and lean sources of meat like chicken; eat whole grains like wheat, spelt, and brown rice; make fats healthy, like those found in avocado, olive oil, and salmon. Enjoy treats in moderation. Following this diet is good for your heart, brain, and bones. Specialized Meal Preparation Our diet needs evolve as our health changes, requiring specialized diets. If you have special dietary needs, from low sodium to diabetic friendly, talk to a member of our kitchen staff. BayWoods of Annapolis has experience in following special dietary requirements for our residents. Watch Your Sodium

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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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Life Enrichment Programs Integrate Retirees into Their Community

Life Enrichment Programs Regardless of your stage in life, we all want to feel personally connected.  In this article, we discuss the value of life enrichment programs and what you can do to ensure you’re getting all that you desire! Life enrichment programs are often designed to engage, connect and create personal relationships among residents.  This process is much more than just an activity calendar.  The goal is to integrate and transition into the new community and lifestyle.   By being socially active and involved in the community, many residents live full, balanced lives that provide diversity and a rewarding lifestyle. Some of the activities offered at Baywoods of Annapolis include: Art Openings Ballet, Opera & Musical Matinees Bingo! Full Moon Parties on the Waterfront In-House Shopping Monthly Lecture Series Movie Nights Pot Luck Dinners Putting Challenges Sunday Brunch Visiting Performing Artists And so much more! Baywoods of Annapolis is conveniently located on the waterfront and near downtown Annapolis, which is also a mecca of culture and waterfront activities.  This prime location allows us to offer a wide variety of on-site or local events that appeal to every whim. One of the biggest advantages to living at Baywoods is that the

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4 Things Seniors Need to Know About Medicare

Senior Medicare Knowledge Medicare is for people age 65 and older and those who have special conditions or disabilities.  Applying for Medicare can be an intimidating, complicated, and confusing process.  So, in this article, Baywoods of Annapolis provides 4 things you should know about Medicare!   Tip #1: Signing Up There are only certain periods when you can enroll in Medicare, and these are subject to change.  At the time of this writing, you must enroll in the time period 3 months before your 65th birthday to 3 months after your 65th birthday.  Failure to do so may subject you to certain penalties and even a gap in coverage, so be sure to check the official Medicare.gov website well before your 65th birthday and plan accordingly.  Each member of your family must enroll in Medicare.   Tip #2:  After 65, Medicare is Your Primary Insurer Regardless of whether you have another insurance provider, (such as retiree health insurance, individual insurance, or COBRA insurance,) after you turn 65, Medicare is considered your primary insurer…even if you haven’t applied!  So, be sure to follow guidelines in Tip 1 and sign up as soon as you are eligible.   Tip #3:  Understanding the

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Why Onsite Health Care Services are Crucial for Retirement Communities

Onsite Health Care Services When you are choosing a continuing care retirement community, it’s usually based on the idea that you’re currently able to live independently. Most people know that situation may change later, and want to make sure that if the need arises that there is a full compliment of services available to help them. Retirement communities come in many varieties, but one of the major factors that should influence your decision in choosing one is the availability of onsite health care services. At BayWoods of Annapolis, we provide short-term rehabilitation services, traditional skilled nursing care as well as assisted living care. We are able to support those living Independently by offering many support services here on site. That means no unnecessary shuttling back and forth from health care facilities. If you have any questions about the onsite care offered at BayWoods of Annapolis, feel free to contact us as a resource for your needs. Once you move to a retirement community, your health care requirements may change down the road. BayWoods of Annapolis works to provide peace of mind for our residents. You can enjoy the independence of your own living space knowing that onsite medical services are

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How Can I Help My Family Member Through Short-Term Rehab

  When your parent/family member has a set back from an injury or illness that limits their ability to complete their everyday task a physician in a hospital may recommend short-term rehabilitation.  Be supportive and positive about the initiative.  What once was easy to do on a daily basis now seems almost impossible.  There is often a looming fear that this current disability is now more long term.  Here’s how to keep things in perspective and encourage your loved ones throughout the rehabilitation process. Keep a Positive Attitude The glass is half full, the rehab goals are obtainable and they are reasonable.  The process made is dependent on how much effort is put in to reach the goals set by the therapy team.  Your loved ones may look to your reaction to guide their own.  Stay positive and maintain a good attitude throughout the process.  It increases the likelihood that they’ll follow suit.  Provide constant encouragement to your parent or family member and remain as involved as possible.  Keep stressing the end result. Get Involved If possible, talk to your loved ones/parents physical, speech, or occupational therapists after each session.  Know the plan of care for your loved one’s program. 

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Downsizing for Your Retirement Living Move

Retirement Downsizing Making a move to an assisted living community is the first step in your retiree enjoying a more fulfilling, healthy lifestyle. However, it can be hard to for anyone to part with their possessions and downsize their belongings before moving into a smaller living space. Here’s how to help. Take Stock of What You Have, and Prioritize The first step of downsizing is taking an inventory of what your retiree already has. Spend a few days organizing and decluttering each room. Clear out all old mail, papers, and other unnecessary items before beginning the process. Empty each closet to determine the volume of possessions and get a sense of how much you need to get rid of. For an idea of space requirements at BayWoods of Annapolis, talk to us. Once you have a clear idea of what you have, prioritize. Does your retiree have to take that tea set from a garage sale 10 years ago? Probably not. At the same time, don’t discount items of sentimental value, even if they seem silly to you. If someone is particularly attached to a memento of the past, keep it, even if it seems impractical. If your retiree is

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Three Reasons to Choose Cooperative Living

Choose Cooperative Living Cooperative living arrangements provide extra benefits in senior living communities. The role of happiness in longevity is well documented; a cooperative living space allows residents an environment that allows them to thrive. Consider these unique advantages to cooperative living when deciding on an arrangement for your retiree. 1) For the Residents, by the Residents Independence is a key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. BayWoods residents lead a vibrant lifestyle through a system of self-governance. By electing their own board members, all residents have a say in what their future will look like. Residents have the option of guiding the program schedule, making improvements to the property, even adding books to the library. We believe our residents thrive on the autonomy they experience at BayWoods. Come and see for yourself. 2) Financial Stewardship Unlike other assisted-living arrangements, cooperative living environments offer your senior loved one a high-quality financial investment. Residents here act as the direct financial stewards of their living space here at BayWoods. We believe that maintaining financial independence is an important aspect of retaining the dignity of our residents. To understand how this works, call us for a more detailed explanation. 3) Tax Benefits In a

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Promote Longevity With These 5 Senior Fitness Trends

Senior Fitness Trends There’s always a new fitness craze: Gurus are combining the latest health techniques to invent classes that keep participants coming back for more. Seniors may not have the strength for trampoline aerobics or Yogalates, but regular exercise is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. Encourage your retiree to participate in these gentle low-impact fitness trends that are both good for the body and easy on the joints. Sit and Be Fit This class is conducted from a chair and focuses on improving functionality and mobility. Depending on an individual’s fitness level, participants may use weights, resistance bands, and medicine balls to strengthen their cores to improve balance. Water Aerobics Aqatic exercise provides a low-impact option that’s beneficial for anyone with limited mobility. Using water for natural resistance, water aerobics provides cardiovascular and strengthening benefits in a virtually risk-free environment. BayWoods of Annapolis proudly offers water aerobics classes for residents – contact us for further questions. Silver Sneakers This nationwide program offers free or low-cost fitness activities in conjunction with Medicare plans. Silver Sneaker classes vary by location but focus on improving balance and strengthening major muscle groups to encourage ease of movement and to alleviate symptoms

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Four Ways to Encourage Life-Long Learning

Life-Long Learning The wonders of modern medical interventions have us living longer more fulfilling lives. To take full advantage of this, retirees should seek ways to be fully engaged in their environment. Taking an active role in lifelong learning has protective effects against dementia and is an essential tenet of a healthy lifestyle. See how you can encourage lifelong learning for your retiree. Follow a Passion In their working years, seniors were often too busy to learn about what they were actually interested in; retirement provides an opportunity for retirees to follow their passions. Whether it’s learning to cook French cuisine or trying ballroom dancing, actively engaging in an activity improves a senior’s lifestyle, both socially and mentally. Help your retiree choose an area of interest and coordinate classes that allow him or her to learn a new skill. Take a Group Approach Learning doesn’t have to follow a solitary approach – on the contrary, we learn best when we engage with others. Finding a class for you senior promotes longevity as it keeps minds sharp and encourages social engagement, which staves off conditions like depression. Help your retiree connect with classes in the area by investigating continuing education offerings

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