senior health

Diabetes is one of the most common chronic conditions affecting older adults. According to the CDC, 33% of adults over 65 have diabetes. Independent living communities offer numerous opportunities to learn how to manage chronic illnesses as well as fitness programs to boost health. What is diabetes? Diabetes affects how your body turns food into …

Maintaining good relationships with family and friends is critical to our happiness at every age, especially when living at independent living communities. But did you know your personal care doctor relationship should be just as important? Taking an active role in your health is key to wellness, especially as we age. Seniors who live in …

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 …

Encouraging a parent to move to a retirement community can be a difficult decision riddled with feelings of guilt, anxiety and grief. At the same time, many caregivers report feeling relief, which makes feelings of guilt even worse. Here are a few things to keep in mind to help cope with feelings of guilt when …

“If you don’t use it, you will lose it.” Co-workers at Country Meadows often hear that piece of advice from residents when asked to share the secrets to longevity. An active and social lifestyle retirement community such as Country Meadows offers many opportunities for residents to maintain or achieve physical fitness, participate in therapies to …

We cannot survive without water. In fact, sixty percent of the human body is made up of water, so it makes sense we need to take in lots of fluids to maintain our health. Among its many benefits, water is critical as it regulates body temperature, cushions and protects vital organs, eliminates toxins and aids …

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 …

Summer is particularly welcome this year after the months of cold weather and time spent isolating during the pandemic. Many of us are itching to enjoy outdoor activities and time together in warmer weather. Seniors can find many benefits spending time in nature. Retirement communities with gardening, outdoor games, fitness programs and walking trails provide …

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 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 …

Cold and flu season has always been a time of year to take extra health precautions. With unique risks this year due to the pandemic, it’s more important than ever to know exactly how to protect against common colds, the flu and any other illnesses that could affect the most vulnerable. For seniors in independent …

Older generations can benefit greatly from being online and utilizing social media platforms. But because of its fast nature – between how quickly it keeps evolving and how savvy one needs to be to keep up with those changes – technology can seem incredibly overwhelming. Often times, it can leave new users frustrated or feeling …

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 …

Incontinence is a topic of embarrassment for many seniors who experience it. And that’s an awful lot of people. Between a quarter and a third of adults in the United States are challenged by incontinence. But the problem is generally controllable once adults acknowledge the issue and seek professional assistance. With medical help, and sometimes …

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 …

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. …

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 …

Lisa Torchia has been VP of Clinical and Support Services at Country Meadows Retirement Communities since 2017. Her 30-year nursing career includes senior leadership roles at four hospitals, most recently 11 years at Holy Spirit Hospital in Camp Hill. With RN and MSN degrees, she has clinical experience in critical, intensive and coronary care. Why …

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 …