Beginner’s Guide to Montessori-Inspired Lifestyle® Memory Care
Discover Montessori-Inspired Lifestyle® Memory Care: principles, benefits, credentialing & FAQs for superior dementia care at BayWoods.
Baywoods of AnnapolisBaywoods of AnnapolisBaywoods of AnnapolisBaywoods of AnnapolisDiscover Montessori-Inspired Lifestyle® Memory Care: principles, benefits, credentialing & FAQs for superior dementia care at BayWoods.
Sandwich Generation If you are between the ages of 40-59, you are likely feeling the push and pull of the so-called Sandwich Generation. What is the Sandwich Generation? It’s when you are caring for aging parents, trying to launch children, and potentially provide care for grandchildren; needless to say, it can be stressful. Splitting your time and energy between the kids and the parents is no easy task but if you’re working full-time, it’s almost impossible without help. Here are some tips to help you take control of the situation. Self-Care is Important Take a breather. Along with all the other priorities, you are balancing, take the time to do something that brings you joy and relaxation. Your health and nutrition should not suffer because of everyone else’s needs. Be sure to keep up with your own doctor’s appointments and eat well. After all, who will be there to care for them if something happens to you? Get rid of the guilt! Anything and everything you are doing for both your parents and your kids can be a thankless job. But, do the best you can and don’t feel guilty about what you can’t do. Signs Your Parent Needs More
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 decreased ability to make decisions or participate in activities of daily living. Starting at age 65, your risk of developing Alzheimer’s doubles every five years. To minimize your risk, experts in the field suggest that following a healthy diet rich in fruit and vegetables and exercising your brain with activities can be beneficial. BayWoods of Annapolis residents enjoy a well rounded daily schedule of activities offering both mental and physical stimulation. contact us for more information. Staving Off Dementia Dementia is an umbrella term for all forms of cognitive impairment. Dementia is most commonly associated with memory loss, but it can also manifest as a loss of language skills, motor activity, or ability to plan and make decisions. Vascular dementia, for example, can be the result of a stroke. There’s
Continuing Care Retirement Communities Moving to a senior living community is an important step toward gaining independence and enjoying the everyday pleasures that retirement living can bring. Make the most out of your time in a senior living environment by following these tips. Get Involved In a Continuing Care Retirement community, there’s always something to do! Join a club or a fitness class, learn how to do something new by taking a class, or hit the links on a putting green. At BayWoods of Annapolis, we have many activities and programs to cater to any interest. We offer monthly trips, St. Johns College lectures and exclusive access to the Fitness Center to keep you living your best. For more information on our program offerings, get in touch with us. Take Advantage of Outside Offerings There are fewer things more relaxing than taking in the sights of the sailboats on the Bay, but it’s also beneficial to get away. BayWoods of Annapolis offers ample opportunity to explore our historic city by coordinating outings. With access to our parking garage, you’re free to come and go as you please. Check out the Orchestra at the Naval Academy, visit various museums, or take
Prevent Elderly Falls It’s estimated that over 250,000 Americans are hospitalized for hip fractures each year, according to the CDC. More than 95% of these are as a result of a fall. There are many risk factors that increase the chances that someone will fall, which include: balance, poor vision, decreased muscle strength, taking more than four medications and more. In this article, Baywoods of Annapolis shares some ways to prevent falls from happening in the first place. If you or a member of your family is still living at home, it’s important to create a safe living space. Some items to consider: Cleaning up clutter and ensuring floors, hallways, and staircases have a clear, unobstructed path. Evaluate floors and remove or repair loose carpet and area rugs which can pose tripping hazards. Add grab bars and handrails, especially in bathroom areas where surfaces can be slippery. Ensure there is bright lighting in the home and night-lights in bedrooms and bathrooms. One level living is ideal. Move furniture and other daily living items to the first floor of the home so that stairways can be avoided. Of course, if you live in a retirement community like Baywoods of Annapolis, most
Senior Health Tips According to the American Journal of Medicine, “Researchers from the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston found that people 45 to 64 years of age who added healthy lifestyle behaviors could substantially reduce their risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and reduce their death rate.” So, it goes without saying that as we grow older, living a heart-healthy lifestyle is smart. But, here are the 4 things you can do today to dramatically reduce your risk of heart disease. Eating Fruits & Vegetables Daily Eating a balanced diet is important; eating at least five fruits and vegetables a day is key. Today, there are a variety of ways to do this. Make a protein-packed smoothie with fresh strawberries and a bit of spinach. You won’t even know there are vegetables in it but you’ll still get all the benefits! Throw in a few veggies with your morning omelet or scrambled eggs – a great way to make an ordinary breakfast extraordinary! Exercising 2.5 Hours Per Week Take the dog for a 30-minute walk each day and you will have accomplished the mission! It’s that easy! No dog? Go to the gym, take a yoga class, or walk around
If you are part of the ‘sandwich generation’ you may be providing care for multiple generations including parents, children, grandchildren. You are also still likely working and managing your own day-to-day household. This can be a stressful and challenging lifestyle, so here are 4 tips for balancing your life while living in the sandwich generation. Get Help. No matter how many hours are in the day, you should try to arrange for help with some of the more routine tasks – like cleaning, shopping, and cooking. Whether you hire the help or accept help from friends, neighbors or your local church, take some of these tasks off your to-do list so that you can focus on the higher priority items. If you’re taking care of grandchildren, you may need to arrange for a playdate or sitter now and then. Care.com is a great resource for finding short-term resources. Get Organized. When you’re being pulled in a lot of directions, it’s more important than ever to get organized. A professional organizer can be a tremendous help for creating ways to make things more convenient and making sure everything has a place. This will help you keep track of things, and plan
Aging Wisely Depending on who you ask, some would say that age is just a number while other will say it’s all about your state of mind. Either way, we are all “growing older and wiser” each day. But, what can you do now to help prepare your body, mind, soul, and family for the inevitability of aging? In this article, we will highlight a few tips to help you age wisely and plan for the best life possible! Positive Attitudes Go A Long Way The Journal of American Medicine published a research letter showing that people who felt three or more years younger than their actual age had a lower mortality rate than those who felt older than their actual age. We all know that stress has a very negative impact on the body, so keeping a positive outlook can help lead to a longer, healthier, happier life. People who maintain a positive outlook are much more likely to participate in activities that help them stay healthier. The Harvard Medical School published a report, Positive Psychology: Harnessing the power of happiness, mindfulness, and inner strength that provides self-assessment tests, advice, and exercises to help you maximize the positive emotion
Estate Planning Mistakenly, many people believe that an estate plan is only necessary if you are in your senior years or have considerable wealth. Nothing could be further from the truth! There are many legal strategies involved in estate planning, and unfortunately, not all of us will live to be 100. But, did you know that in the state of Maryland, without a viable legal estate plan, the State will distribute your estate according to Maryland’s laws of intestacy and not necessarily to your spouse or dearest family members? That means that every Maryland resident actually already has a plan in place (as established by the state) and it’s up to you to change it so that it reflects what you intend or wish. In this article, Baywoods of Annapolis shares some of reasons to have an estate plan and what it should include. Tip #1: Don’t go it alone Simple estate planning does not need to be costly, but it’s significantly better than no plan at all! Since the laws of each state vary and change frequently, an experienced estate planning attorney can provide valuable advice and help you avoid common pitfalls. They will work hard to understand your
There are a variety of factors that must be evaluated when considering the right time to move to a senior living community. Not the least of which are overall health, mobility, age, and ongoing home maintenance. In this article, we will outline five questions you and your family should ask to determine the right timing for you and your situation. The experienced team at Baywoods of Annapolis is always available to answer your questions or assist you with this process. Are you able to perform routine Activities of Daily Living (ADLS)? This would include mobility and independently being able to take care of one’s physical needs such as dressing, bathing, eating, etc. Another related question is whether or not you can perform routine activities such as driving, cooking, shopping, house cleaning. Are there concerns or have issues arisen with regards to your safety? Older citizens are commonly preyed upon for scams. Have you been the victim of such an incident? Have you had issues with forgetfulness or remembering where you are? Forgetting that the stove or other appliances are left on can pose serious dangers to you and your home. Has your health taken a turn? It is often difficult
Transitioning Aging Parents Caring for a parent can be an emotionally and sometimes financially draining process. When it becomes apparent that your loved one should no longer be living on their own, or needs more help than you can provide, the process can be challenging. In this article, we’ll cover some basic ways to transition your aging parents into assisted living. Where? The Big Decision – Most seniors do not look forward to any change or move. Leaving their home may cause further distress since they may feel like they are giving up their freedom. Research and visit facilities ahead of time. Give them as much flexibility as possible and even consider taking them to visit your final two choices. This way, they will feel as though they still have choices in the matter. Perhaps they can even visit the community, meet staff, or take part in one of the events. Lay It Out. Often, this move will be downsizing. So, make sure to get a floor plan of the new residence and lay out the furniture that will fit nicely in the new space. Discuss the personal items that they would like to take with them and try to
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