Retirement Communities are places where older adults go to Live Life and make the most of their later years. Yet, some are still reluctant to make the move because of misconceptions they have about retirement living. Such as:
1. It’s just a nursing home…
Many would be pleasantly surprised to discover today’s communities offer independent villas and apartments with multiple floor plans to fit almost any need. Some offer lofts or basements for those not ready to downsize. Meal plans, security, housekeeping, lawn service, maintenance and more, take the worries and stress from the lives of residents so they are free to enjoy life. Retirement communities also offer assisted living apartments and skilled nursing rooms “right on campus” for when specialized services are needed.
2. There is an unpleasant odor…
Again, the old fashioned stigma that a retirement community is just like a stand alone nursing home is far from the truth. Retirement communities smell just like home… if your home offers gourmet meals, freshly baked cookies and pies, open airy spaces, acres of flowers and green space, a pool and happy hour with hors d’ouevres every week!
3. Everyone goes there when they are ready to die…
This statement couldn’t be further from the truth! Residents at retirement communities are looking for socialization. Many feel liberated when they can share their memories of family and experiences with new acquaintances and then create memories with their newfound friends. Retirement neighborhoods usually offer a robust calendar of activities from overnight excursions to educational adventures, entertainment, volunteer opportunities, social hours, clubs and more. Residents often state they are busy from morning until night with so much available.
4. Everyone is old…
Though the age of residents living at retirement communities is generally over the age of 55, that doesn’t make them old. This group often lives more in one day than their family members and friends who do not take advantage of what life has to offer. At Maple Knoll Village, in Cincinnati, Ohio, a 91 year old resident became the oldest person to indoor Go-Kart and four ladies over 75 took on zip lining at the YMCA Ozone Adventures. And, many retirement communities have Montessori Child Centers on campus. This intergenerational component adds joy and laughter to a community. Old is a mindset, not a number.
5. You only go to one if you need help…
If you are smart, you come to a retirement community to live the life you have always dreamed. Taking away the monotonous chores and stresses of being a homeowner, residents at retirement communities, like Maple Knoll Village, truly Live Life. Those that move when they are independent, and can do as they please, say it was the best decision of their lives. Those that wait until they need help, often regret not moving sooner to capitalize on all that retirement living has to offer.
There is no “set age” when it is best to move to a retirement community, but remember, do it sooner than later. You will certainly be happy you did!
Show your heart you really care with 7 heart healthy foods.
February is Heart Health month. You can help fight cardiovascular disease by adding foods to your diet that are rich in vitamins, nutrients and Omega 3s. Select plenty of fruits and vegetables and other items that remain true to their natural state. Eat more “whole-foods” and less processed ones.
Take kindness to heart by adding the following foods to your everyday diet.
Oatmeal – A great way to start your day, oatmeal is full of omega 3 fatty acids and is rich in fiber to help lower bad cholesterol (LDL). Top it off with berries or bananas and for a heart healthy treat, try some oatmeal cookies.
Tuna – This fatty fish is a rich source of heart healthy omega 3, high in protein, B-vitamins and nutrients that help the body produce red blood cells. If you’re buying canned tuna, select the variety packaged in water, not oil. Also, mixing tuna with high fat mayonnaise can cancel out the health benefits.
Blueberries – A tiny gem packed with anti-inflammatories that help reduce the risk of heart disease. Blueberries contain anthocyanins, the antioxidant responsible for their dark blue color and they’re loaded with fiber. The best part is, you can get blueberries year-round.
Spinach – Essential to muscle strength, spinach has co-enzyme Q10 to help keep the heart muscle strong. It also contains lutein, an antioxidant known to prevent or reduce hardening of the arteries. Consider swapping out iceberg lettuce with this green leafy dynamo.
Almonds – All nuts are loaded with good fat (poly and monounsaturated) but almonds are nutritionally dense, giving you more benefit with fewer calories. Great as a snack or salad topper, almonds can help reduce cholesterol.
Black Beans – An abundant source of soluble fiber, black beans also contain a wide variety of both antioxidants and anti-inflammatories to help fight heart disease and high cholesterol. The weather is just right for some black bean chili.
Brown rice – If you’re eating white rice, consider replacing it with brown. The bran is kept intact with brown rice, giving you a healthy dose of fiber and it’s the only form of the grain that has Vitamin E.
In a recent meeting, the Marketing Department announced that Maple Knoll Village will begin posting blog entries on our website. Their enthusiastic sales pitch had me thinking this was a great idea!
It wasn’t until I learned they would call upon me for the first entry, that I questioned whether this form of communication was necessary. I don’t tweet or write on pretend “walls” so what could I possibly contribute to a blog?
Not entirely sure what a blog is, I decided some information gathering was in order before writing anything. I Googled the word and up popped Wikipedia with their definition.
A blog is part of a website… with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material… also used as a verb, meaning to maintain or add content…. interactive, allowing visitors to leave comments and message each other…share photos, podcasts….
The sharing aspect is intriguing. A Maple Knoll Village blog would allow various departments to chime in, contributing ideas, thoughts and keeping us up to date on what’s happening in their corner of our community.
As CEO of the organization, I’m interested in the interactive feature of a blog. Listening is essential to providing the best possible environment for our residents and employees. Receiving feedback allows us to fine tune what exists and consider what doesn’t.
Within our blog, we can provide links to various resources that our readers may find of interest. The idea of streamlining information on the Internet and making it easier to find is appealing.
Our electronic community will come closer together by sharing links to photos through Flickr, WMKV podcasts through iTunes and videos through YouTube. Plus you can visit our sister sites, like the Knolls of Oxford, with just a click.
A blog is a great idea!
We can argue, as the parent of two teenagers I often do, that new technology is driving us apart. The reality is, never before have we been closer.
The miles that keep families apart disappear when we use Skype. The years that come between old friends diminish by reconnecting on Facebook. Even I have learned to embrace texting as a form to communicate with my own children.
I hope you will join me as we continue on this technological journey. One that involves sharing information, ideas and thoughts. A journey that will continue to bring us closer together as a community.
An Afterthought….
Technology is changing rapidly and impacting our lives on a daily basis. After reading through this entry, I realized how much has changed since the birth of my children, a mere 15 years ago. Much of what is written wouldn’t have made sense in 1995.
Twelve items or words listed above did not exist in their current context. Can you find them? Email our communications director at bschulte@mkcommunities.org and we will treat you to lunch.
Sincerely,
Jim Formal
President and CEO
Maple Knoll Communities
