Baywoods of AnnapolisBaywoods of AnnapolisWaterfront 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
Choose Cooperative Living Cooperative living arrangements provide extra benefits in senior living communities. The role of happiness in longevity is well documented; a cooperative living space allows residents an environment that allows them to thrive. Consider these unique advantages to cooperative living when deciding on an arrangement for your retiree. 1) For the Residents, by the Residents Independence is a key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. BayWoods residents lead a vibrant lifestyle through a system of self-governance. By electing their own board members, all residents have a say in what their future will look like. Residents have the option of guiding the program schedule, making improvements to the property, even adding books to the library. We believe our residents thrive on the autonomy they experience at BayWoods. Come and see for yourself. 2) Financial Stewardship Unlike other assisted-living arrangements, cooperative living environments offer your senior loved one a high-quality financial investment. Residents here act as the direct financial stewards of their living space here at BayWoods. We believe that maintaining financial independence is an important aspect of retaining the dignity of our residents. To understand how this works, call us for a more detailed explanation. 3) Tax Benefits In a
Senior Fitness Trends There’s always a new fitness craze: Gurus are combining the latest health techniques to invent classes that keep participants coming back for more. Seniors may not have the strength for trampoline aerobics or Yogalates, but regular exercise is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. Encourage your retiree to participate in these gentle low-impact fitness trends that are both good for the body and easy on the joints. Sit and Be Fit This class is conducted from a chair and focuses on improving functionality and mobility. Depending on an individual’s fitness level, participants may use weights, resistance bands, and medicine balls to strengthen their cores to improve balance. Water Aerobics Aqatic exercise provides a low-impact option that’s beneficial for anyone with limited mobility. Using water for natural resistance, water aerobics provides cardiovascular and strengthening benefits in a virtually risk-free environment. BayWoods of Annapolis proudly offers water aerobics classes for residents – contact us for further questions. Silver Sneakers This nationwide program offers free or low-cost fitness activities in conjunction with Medicare plans. Silver Sneaker classes vary by location but focus on improving balance and strengthening major muscle groups to encourage ease of movement and to alleviate symptoms
Life-Long Learning The wonders of modern medical interventions have us living longer more fulfilling lives. To take full advantage of this, retirees should seek ways to be fully engaged in their environment. Taking an active role in lifelong learning has protective effects against dementia and is an essential tenet of a healthy lifestyle. See how you can encourage lifelong learning for your retiree. Follow a Passion In their working years, seniors were often too busy to learn about what they were actually interested in; retirement provides an opportunity for retirees to follow their passions. Whether it’s learning to cook French cuisine or trying ballroom dancing, actively engaging in an activity improves a senior’s lifestyle, both socially and mentally. Help your retiree choose an area of interest and coordinate classes that allow him or her to learn a new skill. Take a Group Approach Learning doesn’t have to follow a solitary approach – on the contrary, we learn best when we engage with others. Finding a class for you senior promotes longevity as it keeps minds sharp and encourages social engagement, which staves off conditions like depression. Help your retiree connect with classes in the area by investigating continuing education offerings
Retirement Careers After retirement, many of us dream of days filled with a life of nothing but leisure. But, for many retirees, that can lead to boredom. In this article, we will review some of the most common post-retirement careers and volunteer opportunities that provide joy and pleasure, while keeping retirees engaged and active. Back to School Many retirees seek opportunities to engage with younger generations through mentoring, volunteering, and other activities. According to Professor Andrew Carle, Director of the Program in Assisted Living/Senior Housing Administration at George Mason University, “Today’s retirees…want three things. They want active, they want intellectually stimulating, and they want inter-generational environments.” Colleges are a great place for retirees to find volunteer or career opportunities and engage with the younger generations. Many retirees especially enjoy being adjunct professors, but there are a host of opportunities available so check with a nearby college to find out what looks like the right fit for you! Project Based Consultant Many companies need experience, guidance or just someone to help get them through a transition. A consultant opportunity can be a great fit for a retiree with decades of work experience in a specific field. The pay is typically good
On-Site Care When you enter a retirement community, you may be fit and healthy, but as you age, there may come a time when you require additional health services. On-site health care is an important benefit providing convenience and peace of mind to you and your family. Here are the top 3 reasons why it’s important to choose a retirement community that provides on site care. Providing a continuum of care is the foundation of a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) like Baywoods of Annapolis. CCRC means that the community provides services for: Independent Living Assisted Living Skilled Nursing Care Why is this important? Limits your need to travel. For you, the retiree, it means that you will likely have most of your health care needs handled in the community in which you live. This eliminates most the need for most residents to travel for: Doctor’s Appointments Wellness Visits Pharmacies Coordination of Services Comfort, Convenience, Friends. Imagine being transported to another facility where your spouse and friends cannot readily visit you during your treatment. When you enter our short-term rehabilitation facility or assisted living facility, you’ll be within the same community, with the same friends, getting the care and support
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
Retirement Communities Checklist Each of us has personal preferences for the types of activities and amenities we prefer. Use this handy 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 Skilled nursing/rehab services on-site Transportation available to local areas Nutritionist/Chef on-site Dining menus varied Dining accommodates special dietary needs Care: Skilled On-site 24 hour nursing care Short-term rehabilitation on-site 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!
Brain Health Just like the muscles in your body, your brain needs stimulation and activity to prevent atrophy and maintain mental health. In this article, we’ll highlight five ways you can exercise your brain for optimal results! Exercise. There are many studies that show that exercising actually promotes brain health. One study published in the journal Neurology, showed that physical activity could slow brain aging by as much as 10 years! This doesn’t mean that you need to be an athlete but activities such as walking, gardening, yoga, or simply being active during the day can also have major benefits to your cognitive abilities, so get that body moving! Diet. Eating foods that are rich in anti-oxidants help neutralize free radicals. Nutrition is good for the mind and body. Following the guidelines from the American Diabetes Association (diabetes.org) will help ensure you’re eating balanced. Brain Exercises. There are a variety of brain fitness programs that help your brain process language, hearing, speed, and accuracy. Some of these programs are games while others are more instructional. You can also exercise your brain with puzzles, learning a new card game, or other activity that challenges you. Sleep On It. There is no
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.
Healthy Retirement Living The movement to acquire fresh, local, organic foods is a part of a growing trend called Farm-to-Table. We will review the nutritional and socioeconomic impacts that are driving this trend. Organic Foods Are In! You don’t have to go far to realize that processed foods are out and natural, organic foods are in! With so much increased awareness about food safety, food freshness, and even the growing controversial use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), it seems everyone is ready to start eating more healthy. Sourcing & Local Food The farm to table initiative promotes sourcing and serving local food, preferably by acquiring it directly from the producer (farmer, winery, fishery, etc.). This growing trend not only helps to support local businesses, but it eliminates the need for the products to be filled with preservatives to extend shelf life or shipped nationally or globally which helps to reduce costs and carbon footprint. Socioeconomic Impact The socioeconomic impact of Farm to Table goes one step further. Farmer’s markets have made a dramatic comeback, helping many farms to survive and even expand. America’s growing immigrant population flock to the markets to buy food the way they were accustomed to buying
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