Magnolia Manor Blog

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.

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%.

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.

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.

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.

Few things are more refreshing than a good night’s sleep. But for many older adults, a good night’s sleep is elusive. In fact, more than half of seniors suffer from insomnia. Lack of sleep makes you feel fatigued, cranky, and inattentive during the day, taking the joy out of life and increasing the risk of falls or other injuries. Lack of sleep can also exacerbate existing medical or psychological issues.

I’m sorry, what did you say?

If you find yourself frequently having to ask this question during conversations, in person or on the phone, it might be because you need a hearing aid. October is National Protect Your Hearing Month according to the National Institutes of Health, or National Audiology Awareness Month, if you listen to the American Academy of Audiology. Whatever you call it, the message is the same.

Just as the name implies, art therapy combines the creative process with psychotherapy, to help individuals improve their mental health and overall well-being. Art therapy addresses the mind, body, and spirit – a holistic approach to quality of life that we heartily endorse here at Magnolia Manor. But we appreciate art therapy for another reason, too.