NEWS & ARTICLES

Senior Living Lifestyles

Senior Living Lifestyles Having the amenities you enjoy and the social environment that fosters engagement are key factors to making the most of your senior living lifestyle.  In this article, we explore tips to help you transition and make the most of your new life! Do you remember the first day of school?  You were probably anxious, unsure of what was to come and perhaps wondering how you would fit

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Turning Back The Clock: It’s Not Too Late to Adopt a Healthier Lifestyle

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

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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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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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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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3 Ways to Age Wisely and Live Longer

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

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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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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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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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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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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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