retirement community activities

Active Aging Week, Oct. 1-7, was initiated by the International Council on Active Aging to promote and celebrate the positivity of aging today. It also challenges society’s diminished expectations of aging by showing that older adults can live full, rewarding lives regardless of age or health. Kim Eichinger has the new title of Executive Director … Continue reading “New Dynamic Living program encourages active senior living at Country Meadows”

Mary Ann Bertucio is Country Meadows’ Executive Director of Community Life. She has worked at Country Meadows for almost 10 years, initially in human resources (HR) and for the last few years in community life. Before coming here, she recruited professionals for positions in long-term care and therapy services. However, she began her career in … Continue reading “At Country Meadows, we say “yes!” to active senior living”

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 … Continue reading “Laughter—a common sight and sound at the best retirement communities”

Over the holidays, with more time spent together, some families begin discussing the idea of senior living communities. Though Mom or Dad could raise the issue, it’s more likely prompted by adult children who notice changes in their parents. (See our recent blog post on these “tough conversations.”) Older parents can be reluctant to consider … Continue reading “The best senior living communities shatter the myths (check us out and see)”

Walking through a retirement community, the sight of children shouldn’t be as rare as a rose in winter. But that’s the reality at many places. While retirement communities are meant to be havens of comfort and security, they shouldn’t become places of isolation where residents lose contact with younger people. That’s why intergenerational programs are … Continue reading “Intergenerational activities enliven and entertain seniors at retirement communities”

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”

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”

Several months ago, when I first considered coming to Country Meadows, several of my friends questioned my sanity. They said such things as “Why would you want to go to a place where old people live? You’ll probably be bored and not have anything to do except watch television and sleep all day.” Boy, have … Continue reading “There is so much more to do at Country Meadows than play Bingo. MUCH, much more!”

Residents of some senior living communities are benefitting physically and mentally from a simple activity that originated thousands of years ago. And they’re having loads of fun in the process. “It’s a new activity for most people—it’s making noise,” says Jeff Kuhn, musician and drum circle instructor. Kuhn has taught residents of Country Meadows Retirement … Continue reading “Keeping the beat is therapeutic for residents of senior living communities”

 From the time we’re children, most of us enjoy competing with others in games, contests and sporting events. We may gravitate away from competition as we get older, but many seniors continue to enjoy golf outings or card games with friends. Most competition is physically and psychologically healthy because it motivates us to perform at … Continue reading “Social activities at top retirement communities offer friendly competition and fun”

After moving to a retirement community, many people are surprised by just how much takes place there on any given day. They find daily opportunities awaiting them that were never available before. New friendships, hobbies and activities give their senior years new meaning and purpose. “Getting older is fine,” said American writer John Byrne. “There … Continue reading “Tour bus trips offer entertainment and fellowship at active senior living communities”

The typical retiree today isn’t content to simply live longer—he or she wants to age well. Many seniors are doing exactly that by remaining involved in favorite activities for as long as they can. Some enhance the quality of senior living by embracing creative arts. These might be activities they have enjoyed for years or … Continue reading “Creative arts benefit body, mind and spirit at retirement communities”