Magnolia Manor Blog

You love your parents dearly, but sometimes it feels so hard to be their adult child. Mom and Dad know you have only their best interests at heart, but whenever you suggest (however gently) that they might need help with daily activities, they bristle and tell you to mind your own business. They’re doing just fine, thanks. Sure, some things are a bit more difficult, but that’s to be expected, right?

Aging and the “slowing” that comes with it may be expected, but you worry for Mom or Dad’s safety and well-being. So how can you have “the talk” in a way that feels less threatening and more positive?

When you hear that Magnolia Manor is a faith-based organization, you might assume that we cater only to a certain group of people. Nothing could be further from the truth! Our family of residents is diverse in many ways, and that’s just the way we like it. We happily welcome seniors of all faiths and from all walks of life.

We all know there is no shortage of apps to communicate with others and play games. Where would we have been these past many months during the pandemic without these essential digital tools? But apps can help seniors in so many other ways.

As we age, most of us worry about losing our memory or cognitive abilities. In addition, Senior Living notes that:

• Many seniors have vision issues, and a third of those over 65 especially have trouble reading small print
• About half of prescriptions are not taken as directed
• Some seniors don’t fill prescriptions in the first place due to high cost

Sound familiar? No worries. There are apps that can help solve all these problems and more. Apps can help seniors monitor and maintain good health, simplify daily life, and learn new things. And a lot of them are easy to use and even free. Here is a smattering of apps you might consider for yourself or for an older friend or loved one.

Manor Living magazine. Informative? Yes. Interesting? Oh, yeah! In fact, you might say it’s a real page-turner. That’s because Magnolia Manor is all about living life, in the best, most carefree way you can. Even if you live or work at one of our Magnolia Manor campuses, it’s hard to keep up with all the action because our communities are such busy places.

With nine campuses throughout Georgia, there is nine times the action. So we publish Manor Living magazine quarterly to help our residents, staff, families, and friends stay tuned to what’s new. Reading the magazine is also a great way for potential new residents to get a feel for our way of life.

Let’s turn a few pages in the latest issue to get a glimpse of what’s happening around Magnolia Manor.

Every new year brings changes, and seniors are always especially interested (or concerned) to learn what will happen with Social Security. We talked in an earlier blog about 2021 cost of living increases (COLA) for those already receiving Social Security retirement benefits, but COLA increases are not the only changes.

One of the many benefits of senior living at Magnolia Manor’s Americus campus is our Wellness Center. Opened in 2000, this gathering place for the exercise-minded has been a very popular and busy place. Until COVID-19 came around, that is. It’s not that we’re no longer interested in staying fit, it’s that keeping the gym, pools, and class spaces open just isn’t possible now.

Rats.

We have every intention of re-opening the Wellness Center as soon as we can, so let’s see what everyone has to look forward to. We talked to Jeni Hixon, our Wellness Center Director, to get the inside scoop.

February is the month of love, and it is also American Heart Month. It’s the perfect time to remind ourselves that treating our heart with love can help us lead a healthier, happier, longer life. That starts with the foods we eat. Good nutrition, regular exercise, and maintaining a stable, healthy weight are key to heart health.

If you reside in Assisted Living or another area within one of our Magnolia Manor communities (other than Independent Living), we have your back because we do the cooking for you. Our talented professional chefs not only know what’s good for you, they know how to make it irresistibly tasty and plate it up so you can’t wait to dive in.

But whether or not you’re cooking for yourself, let’s make sure you aren’t sabotaging your good heart health with snacks or behaviors that add up to risky business.

What’s the most important valentine of all? Your own heart! That’s why we celebrate February as American Heart Month, and 2021 will be our 57th year to do so. It’s a tradition seniors can easily get behind, because heart disease is America’s #1 killer.

So what’s the best gift to give your heart this February? Medical experts at Johns Hopkins say “pairing exercise with a Mediterranean-style diet, maintaining a normal weight and not smoking” can help you live longer (and healthier), reducing risk of death from all causes by 80%.

Many seniors have had a chance to travel the world over, or at least visit a few intriguing destinations across the country or in a foreign land. But not everyone has been so fortunate. And these days, travel is off the menu, especially for seniors who are at higher risk of COVID-19 or who may be in less-than-travel-worthy health.

The next best thing? Travel documentaries! Richly rewarding, absorbing, entertaining, and educational. Mild to wild, there is something (or should we say, someplace) for everyone. And so many to choose from! The world of travel documentaries is as vast as the world itself.

One of our resolutions for 2021 here at Magnolia Manor is to expand our Advocacy Program. We’re inviting you to help by becoming a volunteer Advocate within your church. You will help establish a partnership between the church and Magnolia Manor, serving as a sort of ambassador to strengthen connections, outreach, and service to others.

As an Advocate, you (and your entire congregation) can give and receive at the same time.