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Better Health D
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| SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2022
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Senior Health By CORI URBAN
Special To The Republican
When Robert F. and Janet L. Geoghegan were living in their own home in Tolland, Connecticut, they realized “we’re getting old,” he said. Taking care of the house was getting more difficult, and hiring others to help became expensive. So they decided to make a change before they were in “crisis mode,” Mrs. Geoghegan said. They have been residents of The Ivy at Ellington for about a year now, and they enjoy more free time and no routine responsibilities — “No more mowing the lawn,” Bob enthused. At The Arbors and The Ivy Assisted Living Residential Communities, residents can enjoy their independence in a supportive environment with the peace of mind that assistance is available 24/7. There are eight communities in Massachusetts (Amherst, Greenfield, Westfield, Chicopee, Stoughton, Taunton, Stoneham and Dracut) and two communities in Connecticut (Ellington and Watertown). Each community has between 75 and 95 apartments, and all of them offer a secured Memory Care Community, called Reflections. At The Arbors & Ivy Assisted Living Communities rent includes up to 60 minutes of personal care per day, weekly housekeeping, a daily social engagement calendar, three chef-prepared meals per day, exercise and wellness programs, planned outings and shopping trips, and on-site healthcare visits by third-party healthcare professionals. “Assisted Living Communities provide elderly adults personalized care in a residential setting and offers safety 24/7,” said Emily R. Quinn, The Arbors & The Ivy Assisted Living Communities regional director of sales and marketing
and a co-owner of the family business. Assisted living is a smart option for seniors who need some help with everyday tasks such as getting dressed, bathing, preparing meals and managing medications. It can also accommodate specific care plans to address poor nutrition or other individualized needs. “The benefit of assisted living is that it allows the resident to regain their independence in a safe and secure setting. It also gives them the opportunity to regularly see friends and meet new people,” she said. “It gives the family a peace of mind in knowing that their loved one is not sitting home, all alone. Assisted living adds years to your life and life to your years!” Luci S. Giguere’s mother, the late Irene Connor, lived at The Arbors in Westfield, which “absolutely gave me peace of mind,” said Giguere, of East Longmeadow. “She was safe, in a place where she was checked on frequently and her nutrition was extremely better as she wasn’t eating alone anymore.” The Arbors & Ivy Assisted Living Communities are staffed 24 hours a day, seven days per week. A receptionist is at the front door from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and the front doors lock at 8 p.m., at which time one must ring a doorbell to be let in by a staff member. Each apartment has an emergency pullcord in every room, and residents and can wear an emergency-alert pendant around their neck for additional safety. Residents and/or families may also request additional periodic safety checks. If an individual requires a secured community for safety due to cognitive decline, the Reflections community requires a keypad entry/ exit. All residents must sign in and out when they leave and re-enter the communities, and all guests must sign in and out.
“My Mom was in the Arbors for about four years. She loved it there,” Giguere said. “She made lots of friends, and the activities kept her very busy, from playing cards with the “girls” to bingo at night. As her mobility became more
challenging, we increased her services, and she was on hourly safety checks and dress assist which eased my mind considerably.” Services at the residences include up to 60 minutes of intermittent personal care per
“It gives my family a peace of mind in knowing that their loved one is not sitting home, all alone. Assisted living adds years to your life and life to your years.” Emily R. Quinn - Regional Director at The Arbors & The Ivy Assisted Living Communities
Top Photo: The Arbors at Dracut. Bottom Photo: The Arbors at Stoneham.
day. If more care is needed it is offered for a per-day charge, up to 120 minutes per day. Personal care includes showers, morning/evening care, compression socks, safety checks, laundry services and more. Medication management can be put in place if needed. Also offered are weekly housekeeping, three chef-prepared meals per day, regularly scheduled outings and shopping trips, transportation to doctor appointments and a daily exercise and social engagement calendar. “We know that one of the biggest factors of needing or wanting to move to an assisted living community is social engagement. Some seniors may be living alone and barely socializing, but when they come to The Arbors/Ivy Communities, we offer activities all day long, every day,” Quinn said. Social engagement directors spearhead the daily activities that include exercise, baking classes, crafts, painting classes, word games, TED talks, history lessons, guest speakers, trips to the movies, bowling or excursions for ice cream. Prior to moving into the community, residents are asked to fill out a leisure activity form, so staff can learn what they like to do and be sure they have something on the calendar for everyone’s interests. When a new resident moves into one of the communities, they are linked with another resident who acclimates them to the community, gets them for activities and sits with them at meals. They are also invited to a new resident social to meet the community and are invited to a “Welcome to the Family” event where all new residents and family have a chance to meet the employees and learn their roles. The Geoghegans both feel safe at The Ivy at Ellington, and though it was an adjust-
ment to give up some of the control of daily life, they like remaining close to their family, doctors and banking. “Make the move when you are capable physically and mentally of making your own decisions,” they agreed. It is crucial that an individual or his or her family does not wait too long to make the decision for assisted living. “Oftentimes we hear, ‘They aren’t ready yet,’ when in reality they would benefit immensely from assisted living and potentially add years to their life,” Quinn said. “Assisted living is a chance for you or your loved one to engage with others and get the care needs they may require, in a safe environment. Most people wouldn’t prefer to move out of their home, but by waiting too long they run the risk of no longer being appropriate for assisted living and needing skilled nursing (nursing home).” As residents age in place, they often move from one level of care to another. Personalized care plans are created for each resident and are reviewed every 90-120 days. If and when a person needs more or less care, it can be changed accordingly. “As third-generation owners of a family business, we truly believe it is our family taking care of your family,” Quinn said. “Our communities are designed to be a home-like atmosphere. Our main living rooms are cozy and inviting. We want our residents and families to always feel like they are truly ‘coming home.’ Our employees have also become family. We have a large group of employees who have been with us over 20 years.” Giguere wishes her mother had moved to assisted living sooner: “It was a great environment for Mom, and we had the peace of mind that she was safe and well cared for.”
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D2 | SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2022
THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM
Becoming more social
After 50 Outdoor The early years of midlife are a hectic time for many people. Around the time many people reach their late 30s and early 40s, they’re balancing the responsibilities of a career and a family. But as people enter their 50s, some of those responsibilities tend to be less significant, leaving more time for recreational pursuits. Hobbies and other pursuits outside of work are often more fun when enjoyed with friends. People over 50 undoubtedly recognize that it’s not always so easy to make new friends, even though it’s undeniably beneficial to have supportive relationships into your golden years. A study from researchers at Michigan State University found that valuing friendships was a stronger predictor of health and happiness among older adults than valuing family. Those results align with an earlier Australian study that found Australians age 70 or older tended to live significantly longer if they had more strong friendships. Making friends after 50 might not be as simple as it
was during your school days, but these strategies can help men and women in midlife build new friendships.
ments and community groups often share information about sports leagues and other groups via social media.
Identify your interests
Sign up for group outings
Fiftysomethings who have spent the last couple of decades building a career and raising a family can give some serious thought to their interests outside of work or passions they hope to pursue now that they have more time to commit to such pursuits. The more interested you are in a given activity, the more likely you are to stick with it. And the longer you stick with something, the more likely you are to meet like-minded individuals (i.e., future friends) willing to make similar commitments.
Utilize social media In years past, men and women over 50 may not have had any readily available tools to reach out and connect with new people. Social media has made it much easier to build such connections. Even the most obscure passions likely have a social media group of locals devoted to them, and these groups can be great ways to meet new people. A local runner’s club may have its own social media accounts, and local govern-
Communities often sponsor group outings to museums, the theater, sporting events, and other day trips. Signing up for a bus trip to a local museum presents a great opportunity to meet people who share your interests, providing the potential to build lasting friendships built on a foundation of shared interests.
Broaden your horizons Just because you’re in your 50s doesn’t mean your friends have to be. Don’t hesitate to invite younger or older acquaintances and colleagues over for dinner or on weekend excursions. Friends come in all shapes, sizes and ages, so you could be missing out if you’re not willing to extend a hand in friendship to people of different ages and backgrounds. Making friends after 50 can be challenging. However, various strategies can help men and women over 50 connect with new people.
Activities
that are perfect for seniors The great outdoors and take in all that Mother Nature has to offer. beckons people Hiking of all ages. Hiking provides a great
Fresh air can be hard to resist and the benefits of spending time outdoors are so numerous that it behooves anyone, including seniors, to answer the call of nature. According to researchers with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service, human beings benefit both physically and psychologically from spending time in nature. Such experiences can reduce stress and help lower heart rates, potentially decreasing individuals’ risk for cardiovascular disease. In addition, the Forest Service notes that spending time outside in green spaces has been linked to a lower risk of depression. Seniors who are retired or even aging empty nesters who are still in the workforce can make great use of their free time by venturing into the great outdoors. The following are a handful of senior-friendly outdoor activities that provide a great reason to get off the couch
workout and an ideal opportunity to spend time in an idyllic setting. The U.S. National Park Service notes that hiking helps individuals build stronger muscles and bones, improves their sense of balance, has a positive effect on heart health, and can decrease the risk of certain respiratory problems. Hiking is an especially attractive outdoor activity for seniors, as many parks feature trails with varying degrees of difficulty, ensuring there’s a trail for seniors whether they’re seasoned or novice hikers.
Fishing
Of course not all outdoor activities need to make seniors huff and puff. Fishing provides a great reason to get outdoors, and many individuals devoted to fishing report feeling less stressed after a The Centers for Disease Con- day spent casting for their trol and Prevention notes that favorite fish. Individuals who water-based exercises can be consume what they catch also especially helpful to individ- can benefit by improving their diets, as the American Heart uals with chronic diseases, Association notes that cona category many seniors fall into. The CDC notes that one suming certain types of fish study published in the journal has been linked to a lower risk for heart disease and obesity. Arthritis & Rheumatology found that water aerobics
Water Aerobics
Volunteering
Local environmental groups often sponsor cleanups at parks and waterfront attractions like beaches and lakes. Volunteering with such organizations is a great way to get outside and give back, and working with like-minded individuals can be a great way for seniors to meet new people. In addition, a national study sponsored by the Corporation for National and Community Service in 2019 found that 88 percent of Senior Corps volunteers who initially reported a lack of companionship reported a decrease in feelings of isolation after volunteering.
We Are So Thankful for You!
Susan Bankoski Chunyk, Au.D. Doctor of Audiology
improves the use of joints affected by arthritis without worsening symptoms. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services also notes that swimming can lead to improved health for people with diabetes and heart disease. Seniors can reap these benefits by going for a dip in their own backyard pools or a local body of water, such as a lake or ocean. Many swim clubs also offer discounted memberships to seniors, making these another great and affordable way to reap the benefits of swimming.
Jamie Conti, Au.D. Doctor of Audiology
Jennifer Lundgren Garcia, Au.D. Doctor of Audiology
—— SINCE 1984 ——
3177859-01
The Finest Hearing Care by Doctors of Audiology
200 North Main Street, North Building Suite 103, East Longmeadow, MA hampdenhearing.com 413-525-7979 info@hampdenhearing.com
The opportunities for seniors to enjoy the great outdoors are endless. Taking advantage of such chances can benefit seniors in myriad ways.