NEWS & ARTICLES

Downsizing & Decluttering for Retirement

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

Read More

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 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

Read More

Life Enrichment Programs Integrate Retirees into Their Community

Life Enrichment Programs Regardless of your stage in life, we all  want to feel personally connected.            In this article, we discuss the value of life enrichment programs and what you can do to ensure you’re getting all that you desire! Life enrichment programs are often designed to engage, connect and create personal relationships among residents.  This process is much more than just an activity calendar.  The goal is to integrate and transition into the new community and lifestyle.  By being socially active and involved in the community, many residents live full, balanced lives that provide diversity and a rewarding lifestyle. Some of the activities offered at Baywoods of Annapolis include: Art Openings Ballet, Opera & Musical Matinees Bingo! Full Moon Parties on the Waterfront In-House Shopping Monthly Lecture Series Movie Nights Pot Luck Dinners Putting Challenges Sunday Brunch Visiting Performing Artists And so much more! Baywoods of Annapolis is conveniently located on the waterfront and near downtown Annapolis, which is also a mecca of culture and waterfront activities.  This prime location allows us to offer a wide variety of on-site or local events that appeal to every whim. One of the biggest advantages to living

Read More

Why Onsite Health Care Services are Crucial for Retirement Communities

Onsite Health Care Services When you are choosing a continuing care retirement community, it’s usually based on the idea that you’re currently able to live independently. Most people know that situation may change later, and want to make sure that if the need arises that there is a full compliment of services available to help them. Retirement communities come in many varieties, but one of the major factors that should influence your decision in choosing one is the availability of onsite health care services. At BayWoods of Annapolis, we provide short-term rehabilitation services, traditional skilled nursing care as well as assisted living care. We are able to support those living Independently by offering many support services here on site. That means no unnecessary shuttling back and forth from health care facilities. If you have any questions about the onsite care offered at BayWoods of Annapolis, feel free to contact us as a resource for your needs. Once you move to a retirement community, your health care requirements may change down the road. BayWoods of Annapolis works to provide peace of mind for our residents. You can enjoy the independence of your own living space knowing that onsite medical services are

Read More

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

Read More

4 Reasons Assisted Living Provides A Better Lifestyle Than Living Alone

Assisted Living Benefits Many seniors desire to live in their family home as long as possible.  Often, seniors are concerned that they will have to sacrifice a certain level of independence as time goes on.  At Baywoods of Annapolis, we have worked with seniors of all ages to provide them as much (or as little) support as they need.  In this article, we’ll discuss some of the common ways that an assisted living community can be a smart choice for you and your family! Maintenance Free – No more cleaning the house, doing yard work, making repairs, or shoveling the driveway! Assisted Living enhances your retirement years and lets you focus on the tasks you enjoy. Easy Dining – Many Assisted Living facilities offer a choice of dining options. In most cases, these options can be customized to meet your nutritional needs or lifestyle preferences.  For example, at Baywoods of Annapolis, we offer: Restaurant style dining with table service, Bistro for casual dining, Carry-out service, Private dining room and catering for special occasions, Full-service cocktail lounge. Socialize & Live Longer – As we age, our social interests and options may change. Most assisted living facilities have activities that accommodate every

Read More

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

Read More

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

Read More

What’s for Dinner? 5 Things Your Retirement Community Should Offer.

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.

Read More

Checklist for Choosing a Retirement Community

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

Read More

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

Read More

SUBSCRIBE TO RESOURCES VIA EMAIL

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 54 other subscribers