Blog - Baywoods of Annapolis

NEWS & ARTICLES

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.

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

When Should I Consider Making the Move to a Senior Living Community?

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

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

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 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.

5 Ways to Transition Your Aging Parents to Assisted Living

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

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

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!

Downsizing & Decluttering for Retirement

Downsizing for Retirement Downsizing from the 4000 square foot home where you raised a family and accumulated years of “stuff” is not always an easy task. Memorabilia, collectibles, and other nostalgia are likely found in almost every corner of your home. Baywoods of Annapolis is pleased to share these tips to help you minimize without stress. Come and Get It! More often than not, your kids have an idea of the things that are important to them. Give them sufficient time to sort through and pack up those items to take back to their home. Try not to be too sentimental about keeping too much. They will likely enjoy many of your treasures for years to come and likely will have more room too! Sort, Donate, Pack As you begin to sort through your belongings, you’re going to want to pack items you’re keeping and designate items that should be donated. Here are a few quick and easy rules: If you haven’t used the item in the last two years, it goes in the Donate pile. If you have more than one of an item, it goes in the Donate pile. If you need help lifting it, Donate it! Most

Moving to Senior Living

Senior Living Transition Once you decide to move to a senior living community, there is a long list of to-do’s that must be done. Here are some tips to keep you on track, help you minimize, and reduce stress along the way. Preparing for The Move Once you make the decision to move to a retirement community, you may be emotional, excited, or just ready to get it all done. One of the first steps is to begin downsizing and decluttering your home and preparing it for sale. You’ll want to contact family members and begin sorting through items. Organize your belongings into four categories: Take With Me Give to Family Donate Trash or Recycle A professional organizer can be a big help with this process. Selling Your Home After you’ve begun the decluttering/downsizing process, you will need to get your home ready to sell. A senior real estate specialist is a great place to start since they focus on your exact needs and can guide you through the process. Make sure you understand their level of experience and be sure to ask: How many homes have they sold in your neighborhood? How many homes have they sold in the

NEWS & ARTICLES

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

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

Checklist for Choosing a Retirement Community

When Should I Consider Making the Move to a Senior Living Community?

From Farm to Table: Nutrition Tips for Retirees

Your Brain Activity: How to Stay Mentally Sharp in Retirement

5 Ways to Transition Your Aging Parents to Assisted Living

Is Waterfront Retirement Living Right for Me?

Checklist for Amenities at Retirement Communities

Downsizing & Decluttering for Retirement

Moving to Senior Living

SUBSCRIBE TO RESOURCES VIA EMAIL

RECENT POSTS

Archives

Categories

RESIDENT TESTIMONIALS

BayWoods Cooperative Housing Corporation © 2021 All Rights Reserved
Website By CC&A Strategic Media