wellness

Whether furry and four-legged, feathered or finned, pets help make life better. In fact, last year Americans spent an estimated $109.6 billion on animal companions. As a pet-friendly senior living community, Country Meadows welcomes pets. If you have pets, you understand the power of a cuddle and the joy of coming home to a tail …

One of the most difficult aspects of aging is losing the ability to complete everyday tasks we never had trouble performing. This can cause people in retirement communities to feel confused, frustrated and even embarrassed. Help is available. One of the best things a person can do is occupational therapy. Ok, so what is occupational …

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 …

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 …

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 …

“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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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. …

Summertime is quite possibly the favorite season for nutritious, flavorful eating. While the best retirement communities serve tasty and healthful meals all year long, we look forward to the midyear months when we can offer our residents fresh local fruits and vegetables. Just in time for this summer, we have revised the menus and introduced …

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 …

Katherine (Kathy) Thomas, our new VP of Dining and Culinary Service, joined Country Meadows in November 2018. She has spent nearly all of her career managing food and nutrition services for seniors. She loves working with seniors, hearing their stories and serving them healthy, tasty meal selections. What is your vision for the dining experience …

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 …