Baywoods of AnnapolisBaywoods of AnnapolisSenior 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
Continuing Care Retirement Communities Moving to a senior living community is an important step toward gaining independence and enjoying the everyday pleasures that retirement living can bring. Make the most out of your time in a senior living environment by following these tips. Get Involved In a Continuing Care Retirement community, there’s always something to do! Join a club or a fitness class, learn how to do something new by taking a class, or hit the links on a putting green. At BayWoods of Annapolis, we have many activities and programs to cater to any interest. We offer monthly trips, St. Johns College lectures and exclusive access to the Fitness Center to keep you living your best. For more information on our program offerings, get in touch with us. Take Advantage of Outside Offerings There are fewer things more relaxing than taking in the sights of the sailboats on the Bay, but it’s also beneficial to get away. BayWoods of Annapolis offers ample opportunity to explore our historic city by coordinating outings. With access to our parking garage, you’re free to come and go as you please. Check out the Orchestra at the Naval Academy, visit various museums, or take
Assisted Living Care Every retiree reaches a point where independent living becomes too great a challenge. For some, health conditions affect safety at home, while others simply lack the mobility to perform everyday activities comfortably. When independent living is no longer an option, assisted living arrangements can help seniors with everyday activities while offering them a sense of independence. Here’s how to make the transition easy. Focus on the Positive For some, the term “assisted living” is tantamount to losing any sense of independence. When making the transition, focus on the ways that your retiree will be able to maintain autonomy. At BayWoods, our residents lead thriving lifestyles by living in their own personally designed spaces while voting on improvement measures in the community. Just like independent living, residents have a say in their futures. For more information on our opportunities, get in touch with us. Getting Involved Help seniors settle into a new community by getting them involved in programming helps ease the transition to assisted living. BayWoods residents can choose from an array of clubs and programs. We offer water aerobics, walking clubs, bird watching, and other opportunities to fit every interest. Getting seniors involved socially helps them
Making the decision to move into a retirement community is a large step. Planning for a new life at an assisted living community can seem like a mysterious process, but it doesn’t have to be. Here’s how to make the retirement planning stages easy. Financial PlanningHaving a reasonable idea of monthly expenses is the best place to start when planning for life after retirement. Beginning with a monthly calculator, figure out a standard budget for your expenses. Groceries, gas, dining, and entertainment expenses all add up, so take the time to consider every aspect of your retirement finances. Once you set a budget, stick to it. Total the amount of your Medicare payments and investment accounts to determine what you can allocate to each area of your budget each month. Having a clear idea of what you can spend takes the stress out of planning. For further information on financial planning, talk to one of our representatives about the investment of living at BayWoods. Social PlanningSome retirees wonder how they will fill their time once they finally retire. To ease the worry of empty days, plan how your retiree will be involved socially and mentally. Look at a community’s program
Aging Gracefully with Technology Every day, 10,000 baby boomers reach the age of 65. By 2030, when all members of the Baby Boom generation have finally reached that age, fully 18% of the nation’s population will be at least that age, according to Pew Research Center. But this new generation of ‘seniors’ is redefining what it means to grow older, and many are adopting technologies to help them not only enjoy their golden years and give a whole new meaning to the term “Graceful Aging.” In this article, we discuss some of the innovative ways seniors can use technology to age gracefully. The Internet Although previous generations didn’t always adopt new technologies with ease or excitement, today’s seniors are taking advantage of many of the benefits that technology now offers. The internet offers seniors access to a plethora of resources on healthcare, government/social services, and news or information. On-line shopping makes travel and shopping less difficult, and virtually anything can be delivered right to your door! This type of access allows seniors to stay informed and connected, which is a key component of aging gracefully. Smartphones Smartphones provide an extension of benefits from the internet, described above. But, these devices
Retirement Living Planning We all know that planning for retirement, meeting with a financial planner, and understanding the expenses associated with retirement are important to ensure your lifestyle is all you hope for, during retirement. In this article, Retirement Living Planning, we reveal the five things you should evaluate to make sure that your living arrangements meet all of your expectations. How Long Will You Live? While no one can answer this question for a certainty, the probability and statistics show that we are all living longer lives. For example, if you saved $5 Million for retirement and only needed it for 5 years, your lifestyle would be very different than if you had to stretch that money to accommodate 25-35 more years. So, it’s important to plan wisely for income and expenses that can support a longer life span. What Does Retirement Look Like For You? Have you saved up enough money to have the lifestyle you desire, in retirement? Will you be able to retire early, or will you need to wait it out? Will you be able to live and play on a golf course day in and day out, or will you need to consider some
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
Cooperative Senior Living We all reach a point in our lives when living in your home doesn’t seem like the best alternative. Sometimes not even safe. Many turn to senior living communities for an easier alternative lifestyle for assistance. Cooperative living is more or less the best of both worlds. Owning in a Co-Op offers benefits that traditional options lack. Here’s why you should consider a cooperative arrangement for your retiree. Your Living Space and Yes you own it. Seniors sometimes feel as if they’re losing autonomy when they move to senior living communities. In a cooperative living environment, residents can choose their own Apartment home and can customize their living space. Co-Ops provide a clear sense of ownership and a place to call home. Take a virtual tour of one of our living spaces. A Community for the Residents At BayWoods, the residents are the community. An elected board meets monthly to propose community improvements and organize well thought through budgets. Our Residents have the option of voting on proposals and shaping the future. Don’t take our word for it – come and see what we’re all about! It’s A Resort Lifestyle Unlike traditional senior living communities residents are
Retirement Communities Checklist Each of us has personal preferences for the types of activities and amenities we prefer. Use this helpful 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 Transportation available to local areas Nutritionist/Chef on-site Dining menus varied Dining accommodates special dietary needs Care: 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!
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
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