Baywoods of AnnapolisBaywoods of AnnapolisRetire 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
Senior Risks Identity theft is one of the fastest 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
Choosing a Retirement Community Here are 3 steps to help you in selecting the right community for your future. Choosing a Retirement Community can be an exciting venture. How to select the best retirement community for you can be a great experience. There are many options available out there. Several considerations should guide your decision when searching for the ideal retirement community. Here are some guidelines to consider as you decide. Follow the ABCs…… Availability of Programs A – is for Availability, when choosing a retirement community look at the programs that are available to you. What are your interests and how does the retirement community’s activities match up to you? Example; trips, outdoor amenities, transportation, etc. At BayWoods of Annapolis, we pride ourselves on offering a wide range of programs that will keep you engaged. The town of Annapolis is rich in culture and yet has many sporting events close by. To look at all we have to offer, contact us. Bountifulness of Support Services B – is for Bountiful, you want to choose a retirement community that offers you the right amount of support services on site for your future needs. At BayWoods of Annapolis, we believe that
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
Prevent Elderly Falls It’s estimated that over 250,000 Americans are hospitalized for hip fractures each year, according to the CDC. More than 95% of these are as a result of a fall. There are many risk factors that increase the chances that someone will fall, which include: balance, poor vision, decreased muscle strength, taking more than four medications and more. In this article, Baywoods of Annapolis shares some ways to prevent falls from happening in the first place. If you or a member of your family is still living at home, it’s important to create a safe living space. Some items to consider: Cleaning up clutter and ensuring floors, hallways, and staircases have a clear, unobstructed path. Evaluate floors and remove or repair loose carpet and area rugs which can pose tripping hazards. Add grab bars and handrails, especially in bathroom areas where surfaces can be slippery. Ensure there is bright lighting in the home and night-lights in bedrooms and bathrooms. One level living is ideal. Move furniture and other daily living items to the first floor of the home so that stairways can be avoided. Of course, if you live in a retirement community like Baywoods of Annapolis, most
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
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
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
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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