retirement community

Kindness and compassion are important, perhaps even more so now during the pandemic. Many of us are busy trying to juggle the pressures of work, family and community while simultaneously adhering to COVID precautions. Sometimes it can be difficult to remember to be kind. As we observe “National Random Acts of Kindness Week” which is …

Moving to a retirement community is a major life change. Many people assume that if two spouses have different care needs, they cannot live together. Being separated from a life partner can result in temporary feelings of stress and anxiety and, in the long term, develop into loneliness, which has been shown to affect health …

Today’s senior living communities offer more care options than ever before. Despite this, misperceptions exist. Senior living communities are often mislabeled as “nursing homes,” sometimes referred to as dark, depressing places where residents sit around in wheelchairs with no one to talk to and nothing to do. This could not be further from the truth.

Simply living in independent living communities can reduce a senior’s fall risk We’ve all taken a tumble and most times the only casualty is our pride. However, as we age, falling can result in serious injury and in extreme cases, lead to premature death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3 million …

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 …

For adults with aging parents, there are several difficult – although necessary – conversations that must be had around planning for the future. One of those conversations is about making the transition to senior living. And with multiple care factors to consider and a range of options for independent living communities to choose from, this …

When reaching retirement age, seniors have many options to consider to optimize their senior living experience. From independent living amenities to assisted living and personal care, rehabilitation services and the ability to remain active in social circles, there are many factors that seniors look for to make their final decision. Our goal as one of …

We know that retirement living may not look the same for all seniors. This is all the more true when it comes to assisted living care options or personal care services. At Country Meadows, our dedicated and caring co-workers work with new residents to determine what level of care is best for them. From medication …

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 …

As part of Country Meadows’ Home Sweet Home Promise, our residents are encouraged to make their senior living experience as comfortable as possible. This can often mean having items in their new independent living apartment that remind them of home, including family pictures, treasured heirlooms, and even four-legged friends. That’s correct – Country Meadows is …

Family being unable to visit with their loved ones has been a difficult aspect of the COVID-19 pandemic. And as national Grandparents Day, September 13th, 2020, quickly approaches, many families are anxious to reconnect with those currently living at Country Meadows retirement communities in Pennsylvania and Maryland. With direction from the Department of Health, we have …

At Country Meadows, quality care and a family-like atmosphere are two attributes that will always remain constant. But as the world changes, some of our work behind the scenes has to evolve as well. One particular department that has had to stay on top of several aspects of this health crisis is our Information Technology …

Making the decision to enter a retirement community can be daunting. Between assisted living communities, memory support neighborhoods, active senior living communities and senior independent living, there are many different types of senior living to consider. And even when the right community is found, it can be difficult to understand what care options will be …

Mom and Dad haven’t been the same for some time. As their kids grew older and moved hours away, and they sold their family business, many of the joys of conversation and socialization were lost. They now watch hours upon hours of television—Mom occasionally works on some of her favorite pastimes, like crafting and sewing. …

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 …

The changing seasons bring bright fall foliage, happy holiday celebrations and time with loved ones. As the temperatures dip, however, a myriad of health concerns can arise in older adults that must be properly managed even in an active retirement community. One ailment that’s particularly worrisome for older adults in Pennsylvania retirement communities and elsewhere …

Meredith Mills is COO and Senior Vice President of Country Meadows Retirement Communities, a role she was promoted to in mid-2018. Previously, she held the positions of VP of Strategic Planning, Executive Director of our Lancaster campus, Regional Marketing Manager and Marketing Director at our Hershey campus. Prior to her arrival at Country Meadows, she …

Adults perform six primary activities of daily living, generally without assistance. If at some point they can no longer do them on their own, personal care services at a retirement community can make their lives, and their families’ lives, easier. What are the activities of daily living? The activities of daily living (ADLs) are officially …

In a recent blog post on restorative senior care, we noted that many older persons aren’t physically ready to go home after hospitalization or rehab. While a temporary stay at a nursing home may be in order, increasingly, many families prefer the alternative of restorative care in a more home-like environment. Now, Country Meadows Retirement …