NEWS & ARTICLES

When Should I Consider a Move to a Retirement Community?

Why should I consider a Continuing Care Community We all wonder when are we ready to consider a Continuing Care Retirement Community? Many of us have considered a move to a retirement community, but many people are not sure when we should make the transition. If you are able to maintain your independence while still living in your own home and do not feel that your home and its upkeep

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When Should I Consider a Move to a Retirement Community?

Why should I consider a Continuing Care Community We all wonder when are we ready to consider a Continuing Care Retirement Community? Many of us have considered a move to a retirement community, but many people are not sure when we should make the transition. If you are able to maintain your independence while still living in your own home and do not feel that your home and its upkeep is overwhelming for you this is a great time to start the search. Yes, start thinking about the retirement lifestyle, and just how that will simplify your life. If you are requiring assistance for your activities of daily living, a move to a cooperative living environment will be the best option for you before it’s too late to enjoy all of the amenities and various activities that take place in an active community. For more information about our active Community and many related services, talk to us. Use this as a guide to make your move. Eliminate Retirement Stereotypes Some people think of retirement communities as the option to turn to when outside services coming into the home for become too much to manage. While retirement living communities often offer

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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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Five Things Your Retirement Living Community Should Have

Choosing a retirement community is a big decision. How do you know you’re making a choice that will make you or your loved one happy? Use this checklist to ensure your retirement community has all the amenities that will allow you to live a happy, healthy lifestyle. 1. Continuing Care levels Available: Having additional levels of care available when you need is a must. After all, you made the move to a Retirement Community so that you will not have to be burdened with additional moves.   You want to make sure that there is an Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing/Short–term Rehab on site for your healthcare needs. You should have the support there when you need it. 2. Fitness Center and Indoor Pool: Fitness facilities/activities such as water aerobics provide the cardiovascular and mental health benefits associated with regular exercise in a low-impact environment. A refreshing exercise class in a warm pool is a perfect way for retirees to get appropriate exercise without risking injury. BayWoods of Annapolis residents love the option of swimming in the pool and taking instructor led fitness classes. 3. Putting Green Hitting the links may not be such an attractive option anymore, as long days

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Does Your Estate Plan Include These 4 Things?

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

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How to Care for Parents & Children At the Same Time

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

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Comparing the Different Types of Retirement Communities

Retirement Community Types At BayWoods of Annapolis, we want seniors to make informed decisions about their retirements, so we’ve created a quick comparison of the different types of retirement communities that you’re likely to encounter. If you have any questions about the costs of living at BayWoods of Annapolis, feel free to get in touch with our staff. Insurance Model or Life Care Community The design of a Life care model or Insurance model community usually has monthly fees associated in Independent Living that would follow them throughout their life. No matter what level of care they received. Most Life care communities require larger up-front fees, then monthly payments that are contingent on your  health status for the duration of care and service. The larger entry fee covers the cost of future care requirements. Fee-for-Service This is the most straightforward model, a fee-for-service plan, requires you to pay for only those services that you use or need. This works best for most people because they are not paying high costs for services that they may never need or utilize. Their monthly payments are usually required a little higher but entrance fees are lower. These communities are very popular and practical

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The Social Benefits of Community Living

At BayWoods of Annapolis, you can enjoy an independent lifestyle during your retirement while being able to enjoy the physical and emotional benefits of a continuing care retirement community. When one reaches retirement age, it’s vital to remain engaged in life and connected to others. Isolation is a concern for several reasons. Your physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing are intricately linked and a failing of one can impact the health of another area. Being in a continuum care Community doesn’t just help to protect these aspects senior living and wellbeing – it also increases life expectancy by doing so. A physical impairment can cause emotional stress from facing new limitations. Mental disruptions may hamper physical mobility, and emotional distress can make it difficult to find enjoyment in daily living activities.  At BayWoods of Annapolis, our staff is committed to ensuring you have peace of mind knowing that we have a campus offering you continuum of care. This encompasses all aspects of life, so get in touch with us if you have any questions about community living. By being part of a continuing care community, you have the ability to balance the aspects of your health, and you’ll have a reliable

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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. There’s

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Two Things to Consider for Your Parents Continuing Care Retirement Community Move

Continuing Care Retirement Community We all want what’s best for our loved ones. At some point, we realize that our parents or loved ones cannot live as well or as safely independently like they used to. When everyday activities become difficult, a move to a continuing care retirement community will help a retiree thrive. Here are some helpful suggestions to consider before you tour a senior community. Is this a Financially Feasible Option? The first thing to consider is whether moving to a senior living community makes financial sense for your loved one. Is their current living situation safe for them, then consider is the house upkeep draining their finances. Many seniors have to get help or contract with services outside of the home to keep their property up.  Sit down with your parents and determine what they are spending on a monthly basis to keep their home going. Real Estate taxes, school taxes etc. Ask them to calculate the amount they receive from all retirement accounts and Social Security payments. Once you have an idea about what they currently spend on a monthly basis, then look at what they can afford. At this point the process becomes easier. A

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Physical Activity May Be the Fountain of Youth

Senior Citizen Exercises With as little as 30 minutes per day, you can stay fit and feel younger too!  A variety of low-impact physical activity can be incorporated into anyone’s daily routine.  In this article, Baywoods of Annapolis takes a look at some of the most common and innovative ways seniors can stay fit! According to the National Institute on Aging, “exercise and physical activity… can help prevent diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic conditions affecting older adults.”  Below we’ve listed the four main types of exercise and physical activity that are recommended for seniors.  Many of these can be done from the comfort of your own living room!   As always, check with your physician before starting any exercise program.  Ok, here we go! Endurance exercise is aimed at increasing your endurance through low impact activities that make you breathe faster, speed up your heart rate, and burn off calories. These kinds of activities may include brisk walking or jogging, dancing, tennis, and more! Strength training is vital to preserving muscle mass, controlling weight, reduces the risk of osteoporosis, and decreases injury risk. You can begin strength training right at home with light weights, resistance bands, or by using your

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