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 AnnapolisDiscover Montessori-Inspired Lifestyle® Memory Care: principles, benefits, credentialing & FAQs for superior dementia care at BayWoods.
Waterfront Retirement Living While retiring to a golf course community may intrigue some, others prefer the views and activities associated with waterfront living. In this article, we’ll highlight some of the popular activities available to those who choose waterfront retirement living. Whether you’ve lived in Maryland all of your life, or are venturing into new territories, Annapolis has consistently been ranked, year after year, as one of the nation’s “most charming small towns.” Baywoods of Annapolis is a unique retirement community that provides easy access to Annapolis and all of its charms, along with a waterfront community that captures the beauty of the Chesapeake Bay. Baywoods of Annapolis offers a truly unique retirement living experience. On Wednesday evenings, you can take a leisurely walk out to the boardwalk and pier and catch a glimpse of the infamous Wednesday night sailboat races, hosted by the Annapolis Yacht Club. Up to 150 crews typically compete in the races and they mean business! It’s fun to watch and a great way to spend Wednesday’s during the summer! Other waterfront activities include: Visit and tour the historic Naval Academy. Take a cruise out of the Annapolis Harbor to visit another local waterfront favorite, the
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
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
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
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