Independent Retirement Living- 3 Tips to Find Retirement Living

When considering a move to Independent living for seniors, it seems like it would be a simple matter to sort out where to retire to.  Unfortunately that is not always so.  Just figuring out how to compare apples to apples is a huge task! 

 

Here are 3 tips that will make it easier to make the right choice:

1. Make a list of those things which you would consider MANDATORY in your new residence.  To help you sort through the many things you've considered over the years, think about where, what size, which business model (straight independent living vs. CCRC, for instance), when you'll be ready, and how much you want to spend, both generally AND monthly.  After you've come up with some answers to these, you will be ready to consider a shorter list of prospective places.
2. Once you've narrowed down your preferences, find a knowledgable and qualified advisor.  This might be a counselor at one of the places on your short list, but it would be much better to have someone help you through this process who can make it easier for you by pointing out good and bad aspects of each option.  Make sure it's someone whose opinion you respect.
3. When you're within a few months of actually making your move, now is the time to move forward to contract.  This is where you commit to THE place for your retirement.  Usually two months leeway is adequate, but if you've chosen a place that must be built, obviously you need to allow longer between contracting and moving in.  This should be a fun and positive time in your life.  Enjoy the process!

 

11 Health Habits to Help a Senior Living in MD Live to 100!

If you're a senior living in MD (or anywhere in the country) for that matter, you are probably putting forth some amount of effort to improve your health and try to live a longer, more full life.  US News and World Report issued some advice last month... "11 Health Habits that Will Help you Live to 100."  Now that's an article worth reading!

According to the article, the 11 Health Habits are:

1. Don't Retire.  If you do retire, stay active... Volunteer or find a part-time job that doubles as a hobby.
2. Floss every day. It may help keep your arteries healthy.
3. Move around. Exercise is the only real fountain of youth that exists.
4. Eat fiber rich cereal for breakfast. It helps older adults maintain healthy blood sugar levels throughout the day.
5. Get at least 6 hours of shut eye. Sleep is one of the most important functions that our body uses to regulate and heal cells.
6. Consume whole foods.  Not supplements. Research suggests that people who have high blood levels of certain nutrients—selenium, beta-carotene, vitamins C and E—age much better and have a slower rate of cognitive decline. Unfortunately, there’s no evidence that taking pills with these nutrients provides those anti-aging benefits.
7. Be less neurotic. Centenarians don’t tend to dwell on problems or internalize things, research suggests. Find better ways to manage your stress. Yoga, exercise, meditation, tai chi, or just deep breathing for a few moments are all good.
8. Live like a seventh day adventist.  One of the basic tenets of the religion is that it’s important to cherish the body that’s on loan from God, which means no smoking, alcohol abuse, or overindulging in sweets. Followers typically get plenty of exercise, are vegetarian, and make family and community a focus.
9. Be a creature of habit. Centenarians tend to live by strict routines, eating the same kind of diet and doing the same kinds of activities their whole lives.
10. Be conscientious. The strongest personality predictor of a long life is conscientiousness—that is, being prudent, persistent, and well-organized.
11. Stay connected. Having regular social contacts with friends and loved ones is key to avoiding depression, which can lead to premature death.

Mallard Landing Retirement Community is a wonderful spring board to maintaining healthy habit #11 - staying connected.  Think about it... It is a community of people of similar age, with many like-minded interests.  Finding a friend is easy... Getting involved in a club or activity even easier.  When you live at the best retirement community on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, life is really what you make it.  For more information on how Mallard Landing Retirement Community can help you live to 100, contact us!

 

Housing for Seniors in Maryland - You Have Increased Options!

If you've been considering your options for senior housing, be glad that you waited until now to make a decision.  Because the industry has changed, and because consumers have changed the way they're retiring these days, you have choices and options that didn't exist 10 years ago.

The biggest part about retirement communities that prospective residents had issue with was the FINALITY of making that decision.  By paying a (quite!) large initial payment you were committed to staying there even if it turned out it didn't really suit you.  A CCRC (continuing care retirement community) works in such a way that the potential expense of keeping a resident in the most expensive part of the care cycle (independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing care) is spread over the term of the person's residency...starting from day 1. This would mean, simply, that even if you're actually living independently you're already paying for a higher level of care.  In our "ala carte" world consumers were starting to balk at that notion, and therefore more and more traditional CCRC's have started to create different systems for admissions.  They might promise a return of a portion of the large lump sum payment if the resident leaves or dies, for instance.  This change in business practice is because people had and were choosing other options.

One of those options is an Independent Living retirement community such as Salisbury's Mallard Landing Retirement Community (www.MallardLanding.com ).  Consisting of 176 independent living condominiums, as well as a separate Assisted Living facility (www.lakesideassistedliving.com), Mallard Landing offers luxury condominium homes for purchase or for lease, and require no admission fee.  This is just one of the many types of financial arrangements available, and the one that enables the resident to decide when they're ready to move onto the next higher level of care.

 

New Technology May Help a Senior Living in Maryland Drive Longer

Google recently unveiled a driverless car that could help a senior living in Maryland drive longer, and safer. It is currently in development and could transform transportation for the elderly and disabled as we know it. Check out this video posted by AARP to learn more!

If you're interested in a topic like this, chances are you're an independent, older adult. For someone that may interested in transitioning to a maintenance free lifestyle with countless opportunities to try new things and meet new people, consider moving a community like Mallard Landing Retirement Community. To learn more, contact us now!

 

Simple Cleaning Solutions for Senior Apartments in Maryland

Medicine Cabinet Makeover!

(ARA) - Medicine cabinets are one of the most overlooked areas in the bathroom. People often stock them and forget to ever update products, especially as time goes on. As you age, it's important to reassess the types of products to keep on hand for daily comfort, minor health issues or in the event of an emergency.  If you are one of many living in senior apartments in Maryland, take an opportunity to read on...

Pain specialist Paul J. Christo, M.D., M.B.A. and host of Aches & Gain radio show, offers some easy tips to help overhaul your medicine cabinet as you get older and ensure necessary products are properly stored, easily accessible and on hand at home:

1. Update first aid kit essentials: Do you have the staples for pain, fevers, stomach aches, allergies, cuts and burns? A first aid kit should always contain items to handle these minor emergencies. And don't forget other important items such as hearing aid batteries, blood pressure monitoring equipment and extra eyeglasses.

2. Mitigate minor aches and pains: Muscle and joint pain becomes a bigger problem as you age. Nearly one in five adults, or 46 million Americans, suffer from arthritis, which is characterized by sudden onsets of pain or swelling in the joints. Consider an alternative to pills that can take time before relief sets in. Break the grip and try an over-the-counter topical solution to relieve pain. Topical medicines for arthritis can also be a good choice if you have had stomach ulcers, bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract, or kidney problems. A product like Aspercreme(R) is clinically proven to provide temporary relief of minor muscle and joint pain with its targeted, maximum strength formula.

3. Stock up on seasonal must-haves: Each season poses different health hurdles. During winter, cold and flu medication should be nearby. Spring brings gardening, so have an effective, targeted pain solution in the cabinet to keep you going for hours. Summer brings more sunlight, so protect aging skin by stashing a strong sunscreen on your shelves. And no matter what the season, purchase only as much as you will use to avoid throwing out expired products next year.

4. Toss expired items: When assessing the items in your medicine cabinet, take note of their expiration date. Properly dispose of outdated over-the-counter pills and prescribed medications. If you are unsure of what you should toss, check with a pharmacist. Purge personal care products that have changed in appearance, smell or texture. Products like toothpaste and deodorant that are beyond their shelf life may lose potency and effectiveness.

5. Keep a list nearby: Remembering what needs to be replaced, replenished or refilled is a difficult task. Simplify the situation by keeping a piece of paper taped to the inside of the medicine cabinet. When you notice that something is running low, simply jot a reminder on the paper so you'll see it the next time you open the cabinet.

6. Create a safe storage system: Make sure the products you use most frequently are easily accessible and within an arm's reach. Place items that treat similar symptoms on the same shelf to help keep a cabinet organized. For example, store bandages, gauze and medical tape together. Always keep products in their original packaging to avoid losing important information, and store medications in a cool, dry place since heat and moisture can alter their effectiveness.

"As you age, it's important to take stock of the supplies in your medicine cabinet since your health can change. Cleaning out your medicine cabinet will help prevent medication mix-ups, ensure your medications are current, and provide peace of mind that you have essential items to tackle life's little medical emergencies," said Dr. Christo.

If your home needs a little more than a medicine cabinet makeover, consider Mallard Landing Retirement Community, voted Best Retirement Community on the Easter Shore for over a decade.  Living options include cottages and senior apartments available for lease, purchase or lease to purchase!  For more information on Mallard Landing and it's flexible retirement living options, contact us!

 

Mallard Landing Residents Get Behind the Scenes at WBOC!

(Left to Right Back Row Standing: Bob Hutchinson, Shirley Lyons, Tom Lyons, Carol Sherwood, & Guss Ness. Left to Right sitting: Claude Bowdle, Phyllis Strong, Co-host Lisa Bryant, Co-host Jimmy Hoppa, Jane Moore, & Jeanne Torrey.)

Recently, Mallard Landing residents were treated to a private tour of WBOC studios and were able to attend a live taping of DelmarvaLife!

This memorable day began with a look at WBOC from its inception in 1954 to today, and even had a chance to see video cameras from the 1950s that were used to shoot local programming they may have seen decades ago!  A behind the scenes look at the production box and a first-hand experience with how producers communicate to broadcasters was a highlight of the day.  WBOC’s own broadcast journalist, Steve Hammond spoke with residents about his experiences on TV and then they were treated to a live taping of DelmarvaLife!

Those that attended were very glad to have been given the opportunity to see something so few are able to see live.  The trip was enjoyed by all who attended!  This outing is just one of many interesting activities Mallard Landing residents are able to take part in.  Living at a community like Mallard Landing Retirement Community provides opportunities to see some really amazing things without having to plan!  Hop on the bus and who knows where it may take you.

For more information on Mallard Landing Retirement Community and the wonderful activities we take part in click below:

4 Common Post-Retirement Challenges of Retirement Living in MD

(ARA) - For anyone enjoying retirement living in Maryland, there are plenty of reasons to rejoice - more time to spend with your family, the ability to travel more and the opportunity to pursue your true passions. And today's retirees can also appreciate the fact that on average, people continue to outlive previous generations.

Most people enjoy retirement even more than they expect. A recent study by The Hartford and the MIT AgeLab confirmed that 64 percent of people less than 10 years away from retirement said they expected to feel happier in retirement. And when those who were already retired were surveyed, 77 percent said they were happier in retirement than they were when they were working.

But that doesn't mean retirement comes without its challenges. Through his research on the topic, Dr. Robert Pokorski, chief medical strategist for The Hartford's individual life insurance business, has identified the four most common nonfinancial challenges that most retirees face:

* Climbing health-care costs. Health problems are more common during retirement, and the associated costs are often much higher than expected.

* Widowhood. It's not pleasant to imagine life after the death of your spouse but three in four married people are widowed for five years or more.

* Needing long-term care for a chronic illness. Many retirees don't plan on the need for chronic care but three in five men and four in five women will need care later in life.

* Outliving your retirement savings. More people are living to age 90 and beyond, and that's a good thing. However, this also means more folks have to stretch their retirement savings over a longer period of time.

Addressing these challenges
Given these many challenges, most people find it difficult to save enough to guarantee financial security during retirement. Fortunately, there are new options that address these common issues.

1. Medicare supplement insurance can help address the challenges of rising health-care costs. Medicare supplement insurance pays for some health care not covered by Medicare, according to Pokorski
2. Ways to address the other challenges Pokorski identified are available through new life insurance and annuity products that provide greater financial flexibility to help meet changing financial needs as people age. There are life insurance policies on the market that can provide funds for chronic care needs or be tapped as a source of cash during retirement. Any lifetime benefits taken from these products during life will reduce the remaining death benefit available to the policy's beneficiaries. Annuities can be a source of guaranteed income that can last as long as the retiree lives.

In addition to the above options, making the move to an retirement community in Salisbury, like Mallard Landing Retirement Community, could also be a benefit.  With home prices at the lowest on record, it is a great time to make an investment in your future - not just financially but socially too!  Mallard Landing has been voted the best retirement community on the Eastern Shore for over a decade.  It is a community where you live among your peers and is part of a greater community that can offer assisted living down the road within the same family of companies.

 

5 Things to Know About Maryland Senior Housing

Some things you must find out the hard way.  Others are so simple you wonder why everybody doesn't understand them.  Senior Housing and the various options available to those seeking a retirement home are likely to confuse many people, mostly because the choices keep changing.  Here are 5 important points to consider when choosing your Retirement Home.

1. No two communities are alike.  There are similarities, sure, but to try to directly compare them would be quite difficult. The best way is to first decide which "business model" you prefer, i.e. Indepedent Living Retirement Community or Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC).  The main difference between these two types is financial. With an Independant Living Retirement Community you pay for the level of service that you are using, and maintain the power to choose if and when you need to move on to Assisted Living.  With a CCRC the fees and expenses are set anticipating that you'll eventually use their highest level of care (skilled nursing), so it tends to be more expensive all along.  Also with a CCRC you lose some control over when your time to advance thru the system comes...this is a good choice for someone with no close family, because they can make a decision ONCE as to where they're moving, and the "system" takes care of the rest. 
2. Determine what your finances are and what you will be able to comfortably afford.  This IS just that simple.  Keep in mind that as a retiree, you'll have lots of time on your hands and will benefit from having lots of events, activities, and other ways to keep occupied available and included in the monthly fee.  At most quality communities you will have several things to choose from every single day.  Check out www.mallardlanding.com to see a typical calendar of events.
3. Are you interested in remaining in the same area that you already live in?  Or will this be the right time to relocate?  Another decision to make!  You might want to think about moving to the beach, which you've enjoyed on vacations.  Or if you've always lived in a rural setting, check into a more urban community.  Many seniors prefer a college or university town, since there are lots of free events offered there.  Mallard Landing residents enjoy many outings to Salisbury University, to attend concerts, plays, or just a stroll through the campus.  Most colleges offer free or reduced tuition to seniors, too.
4. How much space do you need in retirement?  Only you can decide that, considering what furniture you absolutely MUST keep.  Most people take this opportunity to down-size. 
5. How large of a community are you comfortable with?  There are retirement communities as small as 30 units and as large as 2500, right here in Maryland.  If you're most comfortable knowing most or all of the people you encounter regularly, then by all means choose a smaller place.  A good size is 150-200 units.  Or so I've been told!

Making this decision need not be complicated, confusing, or painful.  Sort out what you want and do the research necessary to make sure you're getting what you are expecting.  And if nothing else, choose a style of community that you're comfortable with and that you enjoy the "feel" of.  Hopefully you'll be calling that place home for many years to come!

7 Habits to Prevent Hearing Loss for an Adult Living in Maryland

(ARA) - Hearing loss is common, but the perception that hearing loss is only caused by aging is incorrect. More than 36 million Americans have hearing loss. Changing lifestyle habits, and treating a variety of health conditions can help to prevent hearing loss. For an adult living in Maryland, now is as good a time as any to change some habits.

Seven healthy habits may help prevent or delay the onset of hearing loss:

1. Noise
Noise-induced hearing loss is the most common yet preventable cause of hearing loss. Exposure to dangerous levels of noise can occur at work, home and in many recreational activities. Wear ear plugs or muffs when operating loud equipment (i.e., lawn mowers, power saws, leaf blower, etc.) or when using firearms. Buy quieter products (compare dB ratings advertised on the products - the smaller the better).

2. iPod/MP3 Players
Listening to MP3 players at dangerous levels can cause permanent hearing loss. You can download apps to ensure noise exposure through your iPod does not exceed dangerous decibel levels. "Volume Limit" is a switch in the "settings" section of your iPhone or iPod to make sure that your hearing is protected. This allows you to set a maximum level for the volume output of the media player and even put a 4-digit code on it to keep it fixed.

3. Diabetes
The National Institute of Health (NIH) has found that hearing loss is twice as common in people with diabetes. Furthermore, of the 79 million adults with pre-diabetes, the rate of hearing loss is 30 percent higher than in those with normal blood sugar levels. Moderate weight loss, eating healthy and exercise can delay or prevent type 2 diabetes among adults at-risk for diabetes.

4. Smoking
Smoking is a risk factor for hearing loss. Smokers are nearly 70 percent more likely than nonsmokers to suffer hearing loss. Exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke almost doubles the risk of hearing loss among adolescents. Studies show that smoking, age and noise exposure together increase the risk for hearing loss more than each of these factors alone.

5. Cardiovascular disease
Not only does exercise help to prevent type 2 diabetes, but cardiovascular health and hearing health appear associated. Growing evidence suggests a link between hearing loss and poor cardiovascular health.

6. Earwax (Cerumen)
Don't swab your ear canals. Cerumen cleans and lubricates the skin of the ear canal and provides protection from bacteria, fungi, insects and water. Attempting to remove cerumen or cleaning the ear canal with a cotton swab tends to push earwax deeper into the ear canal. Excess or impacted cerumen can press against the eardrum and/or occlude the external auditory canal resulting in hearing loss.

7. See an audiologist
Susceptibility to hearing loss is often undiagnosed and unrecognized. The Audiology Awareness Campaign, a nonprofit foundation aimed at providing the public with information on hearing loss, is sponsoring the fifth annual Listen Up America Week, National Hearing Screening Week, May 14 to 18, where audiologists will offer free hearing screenings nationwide. Call 888-833-EARS (3277) or visit www.audiologyawareness.com to find an audiologist in your area.

Mallard Landing Retirement Community offers retirement living in Salisbury, Maryland for those 55+.  It is also a health focused neighborood.  Located centrally on-site is a huge clubhouse, complete with fitness room and classes, wellness seminars, and dining room.  In addition is a game room, activity room, and pub room for activities such as a cooking club, music performances, and even a dance or two! At Mallard Landing, a healthy and active lifestyle is right at your doorstep!

 

A Blog to Remember: Good Health News for a Senior Living in Maryland

I just read an article in Vitals on MSNBC.com that I believe is an important read for any senior living across the country that is caring for an aging loved one or going through the aging process themselves. 

As everyone ages we are able to accept a general physical decline as part of the aging process. We may start to use a walker, not go on long walks like we used to, or sleep a little more than before.  Those have easy answers... exercise, eat right, and be safe around the home.

But what about when someone can't seem to find the right words in a conversation with their grandchild?  When someone asks them a question and they can't come up with the words right away?  Your mind may instantly move to one word.  Alzheimer's.  That's a problem no one has an easy answer to.

But recent research shows that just because an older adult takes more time to come up with answer or reply doesn't mean they have a memory impairment.  In fact, seniors in general may be just as mentally agile than young adults.

Researchers surveyed adults over 60 to see what their response time would be when asked a series of questions related to numbers in a series.  The results showed that while their answers were accurate, they reacted as slowly as a young child and both groups react much more slowly than young adults.  It has been shown that slow response times in young children are a sign that their brain is still maturing... But what does it mean for an older adult?

In order to find out what was happening, these same researchers asked the same adults to respond to their questions without worrying so much about the accuracy of the answer.  When given the go-ahead to not focus on getting it right, their response times were much faster - and just as accurate as before.  This gave them a similar reaction time/accuracy rate of a young adult.

While it is hard to pin-point exactly why the initial response times were slow, the indication seems to be that age related deficits related to memory make seniors more mindful during conversation.  It makes them want to deliberate longer and not make mistakes.

So when you're having lunch with friends and the conversation seems to be a little slow, cut yourselves a break and take the time to enjoy every minute of your time together.  There may be some silence, but it's golden afterall!

Did you know that living in a Maryland retirement community has been proven to increase your memory?  Well, maybe not entirely, BUT there a lot of things at an active lifestyle community does for you to help you stay young... Like no more yard work, no outside maintenance, lots of neighbors your own age that enjoy the same things, a clubhouse with fitness center and game room, and tons of recreation just minutes from your home.  It's the perfect time to relax, unwind and stay young while you can. Take a look at Mallard Landing.  You'll be happy you did.