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During November, Country Meadows is observing Alzheimer’s Awareness Month by using our experience and resources to provide information on dementia and help families who are dealing with it. As a member of the Alzheimer’s Workplace Alliance (AWA), Country Meadows has an important role in educating and guiding families. The AWA is a group of nearly … Continue reading “During Alzheimer’s Month, we invite you to benefit from our memory support resources”

One in six American adults—more than 40 million people—are family caregivers. Most provide unpaid senior care services—shopping, cooking, transportation, housework, bathing and dressing—for adults age 65 and over. The older adults receiving care may feel loved and comforted, but what does it mean for caregivers? While caregiving is a unifying experience for some families, the … Continue reading “Are you providing senior care services to a loved one? We can help you”

I can’t believe that Thanksgiving is less than a month away – where does the time go? I remember when I was a child, the days didn’t pass fast enough, but now they whiz by. Thanksgiving was always a special holiday for me – the family sat down to a huge dinner of turkey, stuffing, … Continue reading “Thankful for many things, especially life at Country Meadows”

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 … Continue reading “Older adults need support after loss of spouse in senior living years”

Living alone doesn’t have to mean being lonely. A study of 3,000 Americans from age 57 to 85 showed that those who lived alone were more likely to socialize with friends and neighbors than those who were married. We all need social interactions and others on whom we can depend, but we can have that … Continue reading “Living alone is perfectly fine. Being lonely is not.”

Flu season has officially begun. The dreaded illness arrives around September and remains active into May. So, when is the best time to get a flu shot? Now. Getting the shot early helps the body build up immunity to the virus, a process that takes about two weeks. A flu shot is the best defense … Continue reading “Flu prevention is an important part of senior care services at the best retirement communities”

My 85th birthday has come and gone! The years roll by quickly, and my mind rolls back – slowly. I try to recall what it was like in 1933 – the year I was born. Of course I can’t remember anything, but thanks to articles and books, I can glimpse into my birth year. If … Continue reading “Looking back and remembering 85 years”

Country Meadows is observing National Assisted Living Week, Sept. 9-15, by “capturing the connection” between our assisted living/personal care residents and our caregivers who support these seniors in meeting their daily needs. At all 11 of our retirement communities, our co-workers will be taking photos depicting the special relationship between our residents and our care … Continue reading “Assisted living and personal care homes support seniors in daily activities”

September 9 is Grandparents Day, and we would like to use this time to assist children with grandparents receiving dementia care, either at home or a retirement community. When beloved grandparents have dementia, their grandchildren may become confused, frightened or upset by the changes they see. The best way for parents or other adults to … Continue reading “Children with grandparents in dementia care need support, too”

Personal decisions such as moving to a retirement community depend on many factors, varying from person to person and family to family. Still, we see several common situations that spark such a move. So, what are the main factors that prompt older persons and their families to start choosing a retirement community? Health changes A … Continue reading “What motivates seniors to begin choosing a retirement community?”

Do you remember these lyrics from a song – “Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again”? It works! Almost 9 years ago, my husband passed away after 52 years of marriage. In May, he had been diagnosed with lung cancer and less than a year later, the cancer won the battle. … Continue reading “Starting over: The ups and downs of being widowed”

Though your formal education might have culminated with high school, college or graduate school, none of those marked the end of your learning. As you progressed through young adulthood and middle age, you continued to learn about people, places, current events and so much more. In your senior years, ongoing learning remains as important as … Continue reading “Pursuit of lifelong learning is an asset to active senior living”

Resident shares her experience as a new resident, learns how to make new friends Once I was all moved in and could breathe again, I toured Country Meadows so I’d know where things were and how I could get from one place to another without getting lost. I tried in vain to figure out why … Continue reading “Finding my way around my new digs, and a new lifestyle”

The company of furry friends can have therapeutic benefits for seniors living in pet-friendly senior apartments. Increasingly, it’s a pleasure that seniors consider when choosing a retirement community. We know that caring for a pet gives many seniors a sense of purpose and assists them in feeling better overall. In fact, studies show pets can … Continue reading “Older adults find joy and companionship in pet-friendly senior apartments”

Bocce, in one form or another, has been played as far back as the Roman Empire, and possibly earlier. Two millennia later, it is still tremendously popular with some residents at the Lehigh Valley campuses of Country Meadows Retirement Communities. And yes, it really can get intense at times. Brenda Kennedy, community life and fitness … Continue reading “Bocce promotes active senior living at Country Meadows Retirement Communities”

The day I had long waited for finally arrived. It was a hot August day, and the movers arrived early in the morning before the real heat of the day came. I was amazed at how efficient the four men were as they traveled from room to room, carrying the furniture from the house. Not … Continue reading “The night the movers left me at Country Meadows I discovered good food, nice neighbors and tons of amenities”

After seniors, along with their families, have completed the process of choosing a retirement community, they will need support to make the transition as smooth and stress-free as possible. For while the selection of a community may provide relief, the move and adjustment to a new lifestyle can be challenging for some seniors. But like … Continue reading “What to expect when you move to a retirement community”

There’s always something to do for everyone at Country Meadows. In a previous post I told you about the many activities at Country Meadows that residents can participate in. Now I want to take this one step further to make you aware of other types of “fun” things. Let’s face it —not everyone likes games, … Continue reading “Not into crafting or playing games? Try shopping, outings and happy hour, oh my!”

As Americans, we spend more and more each year on products that promise to soothe, moisturize and rejuvenate our skin. The Global Cosmetic Industry estimates that this year we will purchase $11 billion of lotions, creams, powders, cleansers, exfoliants and oils. This may signify that we’re taking the health of our skin seriously and we’re … Continue reading “Prioritize and protect the skin as part of healthy, active senior living”

The sage who observed, “Pure water is the world’s first and foremost medicine,” knew what he was talking about eons ago. Modern science has confirmed that a simple way to help safeguard our health is to drink plenty of water. Though important advice year-round, it’s vital to heed that counsel during the hot, humid days … Continue reading “13 tips to help seniors stay hydrated in the summer time heat”