Wellness

One of life’s joys is good food. Most people LOVE to eat! Breaking bread is also profoundly social. Families and neighbors gather for conversation at the table, and food is an occasion for sharing celebrations and making connections. In addition to opportunities for companionship and celebration, food is life-sustaining, and senior living dining teams work …

Are you feeling more anxious? Depressed? Constantly exhausted? You are not alone. Many of us are feeling increased stress because of changes we’ve experienced during the pandemic. Stress is a normal reaction the body has when we are exposed to pressure, resulting in physical, emotional and intellectual responses. Many things induce stress. Older adults, including …

For many people, one of the day’s biggest joys is opening the door to be greeted by wagging tails, wiggly behinds and whimpers of joy from our pets. If you have a pet, you know the special relationships that can form with furry, feathered and finned friends. And we return the love. Last year, Americans …

The holiday season is always surrounded by excitement. And although it’s nicknamed the most wonderful time of the year, there are many stresses that come with it as well. This year, the world is facing new stresses brought on by the pandemic. While many of us are adjusting to restrictions for the holidays, seniors in …

The phrase, “driving is a privilege,” takes on new meaning as you age. This stern conversation is usually had with teenagers first getting their license as parents fear they may speed or be careless on the road. Older drivers, however, should focus on a set of concerns all their own as they pass retirement age. …

A good night’s sleep is so vital that the average healthy person will spend nearly one-third of their lives sleeping. As we age, it’s common that sleep patterns will change – although for some seniors, unfortunately, these sleep changes can prove to be harmful. Staying educated on the importance of sleep and healthy sleep patterns …

This week, from October 4th through October 10th, is National Fire Prevention Week. This annual observance is meant to highlight the importance of safety in the home and provide tips on how to prepare for an emergency. At Country Meadows, we take the safety of our residents very seriously. And 2020 has shown that safety …

There are many ways that seniors can protect themselves against the coronavirus, and in doing so, they can be at peace knowing they’re lowering their risk of getting the virus. One unintended symptom of avoiding COVID-19 that seniors are not so easily protected against is the stress surrounding the illness. Self-isolating and social distancing to …

When Katherine Thomas began her role as Vice President of Dining and Culinary Services at Country Meadows, she had a big task on her hands. The senior independent living community had decided to move all dining services in-house, parting ways with their outsourced dining contractor. Of course, creating a nutritious, well-balanced menu that worked for …

Spirituality is defined and practiced differently from generation to generation. As a group, the baby boomer generation is one of the most significant segments of the population and growing. As this group grows older, so do the ongoing problems like depression, grief and loneliness. As we age, a spiritual connection may become stronger. It’s a …

It’s inevitable—as we get older, our health begins to change. We often spend our lives focused on caring for those around us, but it’s equally important to care for ourselves, too. Luckily, older Americans are remaining more active and fit longer, engaging in a wider variety of exercises than generations before them. Increased activity and …

We all can take steps to reduce stress in our lives, but doing so takes time and effort. At any age, and no matter how busy our schedule, we can assume some control over our stress levels by learning ways to relax. Doing so in retirement allows us to better enjoy our independent living lifestyle. …

Summertime is quite possibly the favorite season for nutritious, flavorful eating. While the best retirement communities serve tasty and healthful meals all year long, we look forward to the midyear months when we can offer our residents fresh local fruits and vegetables. Just in time for this summer, we have revised the menus and introduced …

Mothers tend to put their family’s needs ahead of their own, and that can include health issues. So, on Mother’s Day this year, show Mom how much you care about her (just as she has through the years) and help her safeguard her own health and future. The life span of U.S. women continues to …

Katherine (Kathy) Thomas, our new VP of Dining and Culinary Service, joined Country Meadows in November 2018. She has spent nearly all of her career managing food and nutrition services for seniors. She loves working with seniors, hearing their stories and serving them healthy, tasty meal selections. What is your vision for the dining experience …

Does a laugh a day keep the doctor away? While we can’t promise that, we can confidently say that laughter is definitely good for the body, mind and spirit. That’s why it’s often referred to as “the best medicine.” “I love people who make me laugh,” said actress Audrey Hepburn. “I honestly think it’s the …

This message may not be adorned with lace or ribbons, nor set within a big, red heart, but it is sent with love from us to you and all seniors—consider it our valentine to you! Here at Country Meadows Retirement Communities, Valentine’s Day prompts thoughts of healthy hearts during National Heart Month. We want our …

Americans want to live healthier lives—at least, that’s the message sent by their New Year’s resolutions. Exercising more is the number one resolution for 2019, chosen by 13 percent of those surveyed, according to an NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist Poll. That’s followed closely by quitting smoking, losing weight and eating healthier. And seniors are no exception. Older …

HAPPY NEW YEAR! It’s tradition that when one year ends and we reflect on the “old” year, we see where we made mistakes. This gives us a chance to make resolutions for the upcoming year so we won’t make the same mistakes. I’m sharing my resolutions for 2019 with you. Feel free to use them! …

Reflecting on his grief following the death of his wife, writer and theologian C. S. Lewis wrote, “I see people, as they approach me, trying to make up their minds whether they’ll ‘say something about it’ or not. I hate if they do, and if they don’t.” Many people who have recently lost a spouse …