senior activities

Heart disease is the number one killer of Americans, taking more lives than all forms of cancer combined. High blood pressure, high cholesterol and coronary heart disease are among the top common chronic conditions for adults over the age of 54 according to the National Council on Aging (NCOA). While heart disease risks increase with …

As we age, taking a tumble carries with it many more risks than embarrassment. Every year millions of people over the age of 65 experience a fall whether residing in retirement living or a private home. Falling is one of the most common causes of injuries and hospitalization for seniors, and injuries from falls can …

Home is where the heart is. True, but as we get older and children go their separate ways, home can become a lonely place chock full of chores, upkeep costs and responsibilities. Many older adults choose to move to senior citizen housing communities to find freedom from home maintenance and relieve loneliness. There are many …

One of life’s pleasures is enjoying the great outdoors. And it is more than just fun in the sun. Science has proven the sun offers numerous health benefits for the human body. However, it also can be dangerous for seniors, even those living at active and social lifestyle retirement communities. Some of the best retirement …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

While few of us will ever be published authors, most of us can be writers. In fact, many seniors enjoy expressing themselves with words on paper even if they rarely did prior to retirement. What motivates some people to become writers during retirement living? And how does the practice of writing benefit them—and even others …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …