Blog Posts

Visiting Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park

Atlanta is a city with activities for people of all ages. But once you’ve seen the Georgia Aquarium, the King Center, and the World of Coca-Cola – all attractions that are senior-friendly and well worth exploring – you might want to get out into the countryside. Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park is a nearly 3,000 acre park a little over a half hour northwest of Atlanta with lots of appeal for hikers and history buffs alike. The History Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield site was established in 1917 under President Woodrow Wilson and became a national park in 1935. It was the location of some of the heaviest fighting during the Atlanta campaign of the Civil War. Here you can take in the real stories of the armies and people caught up in the battle. The park contains multiple monuments, from individual stone markers to the historic battlefield where thousands of soldiers from the north and the south – including many African Americans – fought and died during a grueling 14-day-long battle. The park’s living historians and vivid living history demonstrations will make you feel part of those times. But this park covers more, going back further to the Cherokees’ ancestors who inhabited the mountain from 1000 B.C. until the arrival of the Europeans and their exodus from their homeland. The Indian Removal Act of 1830 mandated the relocation of all American Indian tribes east of the Mississippi River, and over 16,000 Cherokee traveled the Trail of Tears to Oklahoma. The Hike The 1.1 mile hike to the top of Big Kennesaw Mountain is one of the most popular things to do here. It’s considered moderately difficult but there are switchbacks to relieve the steepness and plenty of benches for resting along the way. The hike takes about 45 minutes…or more if you stop for relaxing or sightseeing. And the panoramic views are definitely worth taking in! This trail is not accessible to all visitors, however, since it is a dirt trail that can be rocky and steep in places. There is a paved road that can take you to a parking lot near the top, either by private car or shuttle van, depending on the day and season. But for avid hikers and bikers, there are over 20 additional miles of trails in the area to explore, from easy to hard, through forests, mountains and grassy meadows, that can keep you on the move from 14 minutes to 5 hours. Senior-Friendly Tips Now that your interest is piqued, here are a few tips to ensure you thoroughly enjoy your visit to Kennesaw: The park is spread out. If this is your first visit, start at the Visitor Center and check in with the Rangers or Volunteers to help get you started. You can watch a 35 minute orientation film and pick up a map that will guide you on a driving tour. The Visitor Center is open 9-5 daily except for Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Year’s. The beautiful park grounds are open 6:30 - 6:30 December through February and 6:30 - 8:30 the rest of the year. The mountain top is generally 8-10 degrees cooler than the base, so pack your layers! If you’re planning on riding to the top of Big Kennesaw Mountain, be sure to check when the road is open for private vehicles or shuttles. In general, on weekends and federal holidays, the road is closed to private vehicles, but the free shuttle bus transportation is available. Entrance fees are very reasonable – only $5 per person or per private vehicle. There are also six free entry days throughout the year. There are no lunch or dinner restaurants within the park, but there are dozens of awesome dining choices a short drive away. And if you want to do more than just visit the Atlanta area, it’s known as a great place to make a permanent home. Contact our team today and we’ll share with you all the reasons you’ll love living your active senior life at Overture senior apartments.

Smart Shopping for Seniors: How to Research Products Effectively

Online shopping has become very popular and for good reason. It has so many benefits, including: The convenience of shopping anytime from anywhere (in pj’s? yes!) The ability to easily and quickly find the products you want Access to so many more items than you could find locally. However, online shopping also comes with pitfalls. You can’t touch the product or meet the store owner before you buy. You can’t pick it up and leave the store with it. So how do you know you’re buying a good product from a reputable retailer who will ensure you get what you ordered? Here are our tips for enjoying the convenience and fun of Internet shopping…safely. Seller Research If you want to shop mostly on a few favorite sites, look for online sellers that stock the types of items you often look for and have a good reputation, especially for customer service. Any company can make mistakes or run into unexpected problems. You want to know how they react when that happens. Your first step in researching retailers will be a visit to their website: Does the address start with https://, indicating a solid level of security? Does it look professional? Is it easy to navigate? If a website seems amateurish or ads completely take over the experience, that business might not be on the up and up. There are other clues: Are product photos clear? Are delivery and refund policies straightforward ? Is it easy to contact customer service or make returns? Probably the best judge of a retailer’s character is the customer, so search out customer reviews. (But beware of cherry-picked “testimonials” on the company website.) Google is the most popular source for independent reviews of businesses, and it’s easy. Just type in the name of the business and the word “reviews.” Also note that price can be a clue...and not always a positive one. It’s exciting to find bargain prices, but tread carefully with businesses whose prices are significantly lower than their competitors. There could be issues with product quality or seller reliability. Product Research With a favorite retailer, you might trust in their product curation or choose products that are highly ranked on their website. But you can also independently research your best options. Again, start with a search engine query . It’s likely to produce an array of websites promising reviews, but not all product review sites are equal. Look for ones that aren’t closely linked to or paid for by retailers. Depending on the products you’re researching, the best sources for honest reviews could include: Amazon customer reviews BestReviews.net WireCutter (from the New York Times) Good Housekeeping Best Products CNET Quora If you have any doubts about the honesty of a review site, try searching for reviews of the site itself. And don’t forget to ask friends in your senior living apartments or active adult community about their favorite retailers and products! Friends can be the best advisors and are likely to be both honest and detailed. Ensuring Your Safety Unfortunately the Internet isn’t Andy’s Mayberry and we can’t know everyone we do business with on a first name basis. In addition, many scams unfortunately target seniors. So, to avoid cheats and scams, always follow good security practices: Install fraud protection software Set up strong passwords Don’t use public wifi when you’re sharing sensitive information like credit card numbers Paying with a credit card or Paypal when you shop online also offers extra protection. If anything goes wrong and the retailer won’t settle to your satisfaction, you can file a dispute with your card issuer or Paypal and often get money back. And if your shopping includes looking for a new place to love and call home, contact our team today and we’ll share with you all the reasons you’ll love living at Overture senior apartments.

Celebrating Grandparents Day: A Family's Guide

Now that you’re a grandparent, no doubt you have already discovered the true secret of grandparenthood.Shhhhh. Don’t tell your kids. They don’t need to know your grandkids have replaced them as your raison d’etre, razon de ser, reason for being. In French, Spanish or English, it’s clear those little ones have stolen your heart. And you will happily let them keep it forever. Don’t be at all surprised when your own children look at you with wonder and ask who you are and what have you done with that person who insisted they have manners, do their homework, and get to bed - or else. This is the new and improved you. Giver of time, love, chocolate, and ice cream, before, during and after dinner. Though nobody would dispute the fact that any day with those little faces is grandparent’s day, the official celebration in September is a chance for all the generations to get together and shine a light on family and your special place in it. Proclaimed in 1978, National Grandparents Day aimed to: Honor Grandparents Give grandparents an opportunity to show their love of the little ones. Not that they need an excuse. Help kids become aware of the important impact grandparents have on their lives. Americans are not alone in setting aside a day to honor grandparents. Since 1978 some 22 countries around the world have jumped on the bandwagon. In 2021, the Pope announced the creation of World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, to be celebrated annually on the fourth Sunday of July. As you can imagine, this is just fine with the Hallmark people. In the US alone, 4 million cards make their way to deserving and grateful grandparents. And here’s a fun fact: Unlike Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, Grandparents Day is devoid of an apostrophe. The mission is not just to celebrate grandparents, but to pay tribute to the whole generational pyramid, at the top of which is, well…you. Here are a few Grandparents Day ideas to make your experience memorable and meaningful. Make it a Family Day If the kids are local, or you can plan a visit that coincides with the holiday, Grandparents Day is the perfect time to gather the family. It can be a casual picnic or a lovely lunch at your favorite restaurant. Whatever vibe you choose, the key is quality time together. Let the Games Begin After everybody is fed and watered, bring out your favorite games. Your choices will vary depending on the ages of the grandkids. Keep in mind kids as young as 8 have been known to learn – and love – canasta. Maybe your family would enjoy a puzzle making contest. Two matching jigsaws, two teams and away you go. The Family Tree Grandparents Day is the ideal moment to sit down with the younger generation and introduce them to their ancestors. As they hear stories about relatives they may have never met, they will understand their own connection to a larger family group. They will love to hear about the “olden days.” You know, that time about a minute ago when the hottest technology was your new electric typewriter. Lace Up Your Sneakers Grab a grandkid or two and take a walk in the park, or around the neighborhood. Leave the devices at home and you’ll be amazed at what you can find out from chatty kids who are not scrolling through TikTok. Get Crafty If you’re looking for great Grandparents Day gift ideas, any age-appropriate project that engages the kids will do the trick. You will love the time spent creating, and they will leave with a parting gift to remember the day - and you. For example, go on a rock hunting safari with the little ones in the backyard. Then bring out the glitter and stickers, and voila! You’ve got a great art project. For the older kids, you can pull out old family photos and make a collage. While you’re working, with cookies nearby of course, you can regale them with stories of your misspent youth. Celebrate at Overture Once you’ve signed on the dotted line and rightsized into one of Overture’s premium senior apartment communities , invite the family to take advantage of Overture’s resort worthy grounds and facilities. Kids can splash around in the Olympic sized pool and then join other families for a walk on the grounds or a movie in the theater. Be sure you save an hour for snuggle time back at your comfy, upscale, apartment. Once you are part of a welcoming and inclusive Overture community, Grandparents Day can be special – with or without the kids. If your family lives out of town, grab some fellow grandparents in similar circumstances and create your own celebration. Book a tour today. Your friends are waiting to experience Grandparents Day - and the best of retirement life - with you.

Sharing Wisdom: Mentorship Opportunities for Seniors

Fun fact: Mentor can be both a noun and a verb. Though grammatically speaking, this is not earth-shattering information, it does shine a light on the dual value of mentorship. On the one hand, as a mentor, you are giving of yourself, providing support, encouragement, and positive feedback. On the other hand, in the act of mentoring, you are offering others the benefit of your knowledge and skill set. You are sharing your real wealth - the riches that have nothing to do with money. Mentoring a younger person can be a magical experience for a senior. As mentor and mentee share quality time and exchange ideas, they challenge each other's perspectives and gain a better understanding and respect for each other. Though the senior is essentially the teacher, it is a rewarding learning process that goes both ways. Benefits of Mentoring For seniors the benefits of mentoring cannot be overstated. Besides giving retirees purpose and focus, it fosters social interaction and helps keep the mind sharp. Sharing the knowledge accumulated over the course of a career can also help keep seniors connected to the professional part of themselves. Mentoring boosts senior self-esteem, and studies claim, can even promote happiness. How to be a Great Mentor Engage It’s important to show interest in your mentee. Engage them in conversation and ask about their goals and expectations. Be Flexible Try to be available for your mentees when it is convenient for them. Also, listen carefully and try to tailor your sessions to achieve his or her goals. Communicate honestly and continuously to make sure your sessions are on target. Be a Good Listener You are the one with the information, but your listening skills are a huge part of understanding the needs and aspirations of your mentee. Study Up It may be a while since you have plied your trade. It might not hurt to brush up on information and skills to make sure you are well versed on the intricacies of your game. Make it Personal You’ve lived a long, rich life. Your personal experiences, and the life lessons you’ve accrued along your path, may be helpful in connecting with your mentee and creating a more meaningful interaction for both of you.. How Can You Help? There are lots of ways to mentor the next generation. Share Your Professional Expertise Mentoring a young person who is beginning their journey in your field is probably the most obvious definition of the concept. In that capacity, you can volunteer for mentorship programs to provide one on one career guidance or make yourself available for industry networking events. Coach in Life Skills Life skills like time, money and household management are essential tools for getting through life outside the office. Older adults are seasoned in these areas and can be valuable assets to younger people starting their journeys. Supporting Entrepreneurs No matter what business you created or managed, your insight can help aspiring young entrepreneurs learn innovation and resilience in the face of business challenges. Supporting Personal Growth Mentoring can enhance personal as well as professional growth and development. Older adults who have endured the gamut of life’s ups and downs can lend insight into navigating difficult transitions, and relationships. Lead Your Community Become a leader in your community and be a resource for younger people to look up to. Teaching others the importance of community responsibility empowers individuals and strengthens the community. Once you rightsize into the Overture senior apartment community of your choice, why not invite a few friends over to your comfy, upscale apartment and check out potential mentorship programs like Senior Adults for Greater Education, part of the National Mentoring Resource Center. Book a tour today. Overture and mentorship. A winning combination that will make a huge difference in your life - and the lives of others.

Senior Travel Tips for Fall Getaways

There were kids. There was work. There was a pandemic. With every obstacle, that bucket full of dream trip aspirations was pushed farther and farther into a dark corner of the closet. But that was yesterday. Today, travel savvy seniors - anxious to make up for lost time - are on the move again. Options for fall vacations are endless. Start with the gorgeous weather, add off season crowds and great senior deals, and, well… the world is your oyster – even if oysters are not actually part of your travel fantasy. As Oscar Wilde advised, “Live life with no excuses, travel with no regret.” Check out these senior travel tips and make this fall a season to remember. Where? Ah grasshopper. The answer to that question depends entirely on you, your budget, interests, and personal adventure quotient. Head to the northeast to luxuriate in the fabulous fall foliage. If the, um, spirit moves you, explore the wine country in Northern California. Now that the kids are all back in school, you can discover Arizona and the Grand Canyon without the masses. How about a ranch experience in Texas? With cooler temperatures, enjoyable fall travel destinations include just about anywhere in the good old US of A. If you are aiming for broader horizons, Europe awaits. Croatia and the Czech Republic are hot destinations and gorgeous at this time of year. London, Paris and Rome never disappoint. Amsterdam and Brussels? The French Riviera? The Amalfi Coast? A cruise down the Danube? At this delightful time of year, no matter where you go, you can’t go wrong. Senior Discounts With age comes a richness of experience and wisdom. Be sure to use it for great senior travel discounts. Start your journey by consulting these popular sites: The Senior List https://www.theseniorlist.com/senior-discounts/travel/ The NEA https://www.neamb.com/travel-and-vacations/savings-strategies-for-senior-travel-discounts 55+ Life https://55pluslifemag.com/travel-discounts-that-people-55-and-up-should-be-using/ Senior Travel Central https://www.seniortravelcentral.com/best-senior-travel-deals.html For European travelers, in most countries, a senior card purchased at a local train station will qualify you for discounted rail passes and more. Here’s a fun fact: In the UK discounts are called concessions and seniors are referred to as pensioners. So be sure to ask for the concessions you deserve, pensioner! Cheerio! Travel Insurance Seniors joke about the peril of buying green bananas. Because who knows what tomorrow brings, right? But, spending hard earned retirement bucks on a dream trip, just to have life get in the way and cause you to cancel at the last minute is no joke. When it comes to travel advice for seniors, purchasing travel insurance is at the top of the list. If you are traveling outside the US, most likely Medicare will not cover you. Supplemental insurance also has limitations. When considering travel insurance options, pay attention to medical coverage and emergency evacuation allotment. Companies like Travel Guard, Allianz, and Faye make it easy to compare policy features. You will have to shell out extra dollars, but in the event of cancellation or trip interruption it will be worth it. Manage Medications As your travel date nears, be sure to have enough of your medications on hand to last for the duration of the trip. Refilling in a foreign country can be a pain in the neck. And bring those medicines with you on the plane. Lost luggage is not an unheard-of travel complication. Lost medication can turn an annoying problem into a life threatening one. And if you have hearing aids, don’t forget spare batteries. The tour guide has a lot of interesting info to impart. You will want to hear it! Packing Fall packing is all about layering. It can be 50 degrees in the morning and 80 degrees by the afternoon. You don’t need tons of clothes. You just need the right ones. At this time of year, a few long sleeve tops, a fall vest and a rain jacket should work for outerwear. Include comfortable pants for touring, and maybe a nice pair of jeans and a nice top for dinner out on the town. And if you bring absolutely nothing else, do not leave home without a really comfy pair of sneakers. You may be spending a lot of time walking, sometimes unexpectedly. Nothing ruins a bucket list experience like the wrong shoes. If you are lucky enough to live in one of Overture’s premier senior living apartments , embarking on your special adventure is as easy as closing the door of your purposefully designed, upscale apartment. Overture’s stress free, turnkey, active adult lifestyle makes leaving a breeze and coming home a joy. Book a tour today. Your retirement - and travel – adventure is about to begin. Bon Voyage!

Back-to-School: How Grandparents Can Help

The playgrounds are getting quiet. The streets will soon be a sea of large orange vehicles with flashing lights – that only stop when you are behind them and in a hurry. Yep. The grandkids are heading back to school. And yes, their education is the primary concern. But, clearly, the most important question is, how are you going to make this school thing work for you? It’s not like you can drop over in the afternoon for an ice cream outing. They are going to be busy with their stuff. So, you must find more creative ways to stay in the picture. Here is the secret: Whether you are local or set up to zoom, you can make yourself useful. The more you can find ways to chip in, the more time you have with those adorable faces. It’s the ultimate stealth grandparenting move. A Shopping Trip Offer to take the kids shopping for school supplies and watch how quickly your adult children ask what time you will be picking them up! Whether it is your treat, or they are covering the costs, this is a job your kids will happily turn over to you in a heartbeat and you will have a wonderful outing with the grandkids. Help them pick out a special backpack or lunchbox that reminds them of you whenever they use it. Of course there will be ice cream afterwards.If you can’t be physically there, an online shopping spree while on Facetime is a worthy alternative. If you’re lucky enough to live in one of Overture’s premier senior living apartment communities, you can share that apres shopping ice cream with your homies. Be a Study Buddy Whether your little ones are still learning to read or are coming home from school with actual homework, you can be a part of the learning process. If your kids are around the corner, hop over after dinner for an hour of reading – and cuddling – before bed. If your kids live somewhere around the globe that makes it impossible to pop in, set up a zoom reading session. The littlest ones will love the Caribou app that allows you both to see the book at the same time. As the kids get older, you can lend a special perspective to subjects like history and political science. Math homework these days is not for the faint of heart. Good luck! Volunteer Schools are constantly bombarding busy working parents with requests to volunteer. Take the burden off your harried kids and step up to take their place. Volunteering can mean anything from helping out in the lunchroom or library, or relieving teachers in the classroom by reading and storytelling. You can also help organize fundraisers. You’ll be loaded with brownie points from the school and your kids. And best of all, there will be plenty of opportunities for grandkid sightings – and hugs. Be Available The nemesis of working parents is the hours between after school and dinner. A grandparent who can pick up the kids a couple afternoons a week and hang out with them before their parents get home is a hot commodity indeed. This golden time will be yours and yours alone. It’s truly a win/win for all. It’s Overture Time If you settle into an Overture’s premier senior apartment living community that is near your kids, you can grab the little ones after school and bring them back home. Take advantage of Overture’s resort worthy facilities to spend some active quality time together or just mellow out in your state-of-the-art apartment. Book a tour at the Overture property of your choice today. And, charge up that iPad! School is about to begin…again.