NEWS & ARTICLES

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

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Does Your Estate Plan Include These 4 Things?

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

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Cooperative Senior Living Is Superior. Here’s Why.

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

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7 Questions to Ask Before Selecting a Short Term Rehab Facility

Short Term Rehab Questions In this article, you’ll learn about the key offerings your facility should have and do.  And, we’ll show you what you can do to make the recovery process faster. Selecting a short-term rehabilitation facility to care for you after a surgery, fall, or other illness is an important process.  A good rehabilitation program can put you back on your feet and even increase life span.  However, the opposite can also be true, so be sure to do the homework and make sure the facility you select has the right programs and staff to meet your needs. Here are some basic questions you should ask: What will be the goal of rehabilitation and are your expectations for recovery reasonable, from a time and effort perspective? How many patients have been successfully treated for the same type of care you require? What are the outcomes of similar patients? How many therapy hours are typically required? How many hours per day? Who will be working with you day to day on your rehabilitation plan? How often does the doctor visit with the patient? Who will decide when it’s time to go home? It is also helpful to discuss any

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2 Steps to Plan for Retirement Living

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 Planning Having 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 Planning Some 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

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How Seniors Can Use Technology to Age Gracefully

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

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Making a Seamless Transition from Independent to Assisted Living

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

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Checklist for Amenities at Retirement Communities

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 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!

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Moving to Senior Living

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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Best Ways to Protect Seniors From Fraud & Identity Theft

Senior Risks Identity theft is one of the fast-growing crimes in the United States.  Although anyone can be a target, many seniors are at a higher risk for fraud schemes and identity theft.  While technology and social factors contribute to the reasons for this trend, it’s also important to realize that many seniors have accumulated a certain amount of wealth, making them a primary target for criminals. For this reason, Baywoods of Annapolis has compiled a list of 4 ways you can lower your risk for identity theft and fraud schemes. Identity Protection Services – This is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself or your loved ones from identity theft. These services monitor credit bureaus, personal information, the internet, and a variety of other platforms to help ensure your identity is protected.  According to NextAdvisor, the top 3 are: IdentityGuard Experian Lifelock Phone & Door-to-Door Scams – Two of the most common scams targeting seniors are from unwanted callers or salespeople going door-to-door. There are two quick and easy ways to avoid these scams: Never provide someone who called you with your personal information. If they represent they are with the bank of credit card company, hang up and

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Why Annapolis is such a great place to retire.

Retire In Annapolis Are you ready to enjoy retirement?  Are you thinking about moving to an active adult community?  Would you love to include a waterfront lifestyle into your retirement living options?  When it’s time to retire, there are a variety of factors that can influence the decision on where to do so.  In this article, we’ll discuss a hidden gem in Annapolis, Maryland that offers the best of everything for your retirement living options. Waterfront Lifestyle Although many people think of ‘going south’ when it comes to retirement, you may not have to go any further south than the Mason-Dixon line!  As a matter of fact, there are some really great reasons to retire in Maryland!  In Annapolis, Maryland, Baywoods of Annapolis offers one of the few retirement communities overlooking the magnificent Chesapeake Bay.  The Baywoods dock provides a bird’s eye view to watch the famous Wednesday night sailboat races and enjoy warm Bay breezes.   Hop into the downtown area to enjoy world-famous seafood, including famous Maryland crab cakes, at one of the many waterfront restaurants. Arts & Culture Annapolis has a love of the arts!  The Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts features events throughout the year while

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