Baywoods of AnnapolisBaywoods of AnnapolisChoosing a Retirement Community Here are 3 steps to help you in selecting the right community for your future. Choosing a Retirement Community can be an exciting venture. How to select the best retirement community for you can be a great experience. There are many options available out there. Several considerations should guide your decision when searching for the ideal retirement community. Here are some guidelines to consider as you
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Pet Friendly Retirement Community Pets can bring so much joy and help relieve anxiety and stress. In this article, we’ll review how to make sure your retirement community is well-aligned with the needs of you and your pet. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize that pets can be comforting companions, particularly as we grow older. Walking a dog can provide great exercise, loving companionship, and help provide purpose. So, you may wonder why a retirement community would have policies against pets? As it turns out, there are some very valid things to consider, on both sides of the proverbial fence. One of the top priorities with a senior bringing a beloved pet to any community is to ensure that both the senior and their pets’ well-being is taken into consideration. While pets can provide an array of benefits to their human parents, unfortunately, they can also present some challenges. Seniors may not be able to continue to remember to properly medicate or feed their pets. As the animal gets older, the pet may require special care or costly medications. Getting them to a veterinarian for routine care may also be a challenge. Furthermore, if you begin to experience
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 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 on the course can be physically exhausting. BayWoods of Annapolis putting green overlooking the Chesapeake Bay and the Bay Bridge is
Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.
Join 54 other subscribers
7101 Bay Front Drive, Annapolis Maryland 21403
Main: (410) 268-9222 or (443) 837-1208
info@baywoodsofannapolis.com
