Magnolia Manor Blog

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.

The pandemic continues, and we could all use something new to occupy our time, not to mention our hands and our minds, as we wait it out – especially seniors still deprived of in-person visits with loved ones. So here comes some well-timed good news: January is National Hobby Month.

What better time to reacquaint yourself with an old-favorite hobby, or to take up a brand new one. Focusing on something engrossing and learning new things are proven winners when it comes to re-fueling your mind, body, and spirit.

What? You don’t have a will? You really need to correct that, for your own peace of mind as well as to protect your estate, your wishes, and your loved ones. Many people shy away from this subject, but making a will is not morbid, it is sensible and practical. It gives you control over what happens to your belongings and assets after you pass away.

Yet, 40% of Americans over the age of 45 do not have a will.

In a year when it has been darn hard to find any good news, the federal government has just announced some good news for seniors: Social Security payments will go up in 2021. Starting with checks mailed December 31, 2020, those who receive Social Security and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits will get 1.3% more.

Who doesn’t love to get a gift? It needn’t be expensive or elaborate, we just love the surprise and the thoughtfulness behind it. Giving can be even more rewarding, and with the holidays right around the corner, we wanted to pass along a few hints on what your most-loved seniors have on their wish lists this year.

One thing most older adults will tell you is that they do not need more stuff. That’s doubly true if your Mom or Grandpa lives in Assisted Living or they have downsized significantly for their retirement. So the key is to zero in on what will be most useful or meaningful to them.

No one wants to think that someday they might have to leave their home and move into assisted living or another type of long-term senior care community. Nonetheless, almost 70% of those over 65 will eventually need some kind of long term care. You may not have to move, though, at least not so soon. Instead, you may be able to age in place.

Most folks today know November 11th as Veterans Day. But there are those still living who can remember far enough back when this important day of honor was originally established as Armistice Day. World War I officially ended at 11am on November 11, 1918. And in 1921, America created the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery and began a tradition of formally recognizing those who have served this country in the military.

Congress officially named Armistice Day in 1926, and the date became an official national holiday in 1938. In 1947, following World War II, this day of remembrance was renamed to reflect the nation’s desire to acknowledge all veterans.

Pet therapy, formally known as animal-assisted therapy (AAT), is known to provide both physical and mental benefits for seniors with dementia. Prior to COVID-19 concerns, many Memory Care facilities around the country had adopted pet programs of some kind. Some chose to bring in animals as full-time residents, others chose visiting pet programs.

All types of senior living communities are including pets to make their communities feel homier and offer a special kind of comfort and stimulation for residents. However, AAT can be especially beneficial for those suffering from mild or more advanced memory loss.