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Top Features to Look for When Choosing a Senior Apartment Home

Senior apartment communities are increasingly popular for seniors who want an active lifestyle without home ownership and maintenance demands. Sometimes known as 55 and over apartments, senior living apartments offer much more than accommodation. Senior apartments often come with fitness studios, coffee cafes, swimming pools, and organized trips, events, and classes. At Overture , we understand choosing senior apartment communities is an important decision and one you need to take your time making. Below are seven features we recommend looking for in a senior apartment home. Location, Location, Location Location is essential when considering 55 and over apartments. Factors to consider include the following: How close you’ll be to family (or whether the location is one your family will visit regularly). The weather. Are you a summer blossom or a winter rose? Look for apartments in regions with the type of weather you prefer or where the weather is pleasant all year. Access to medical facilities is vital as we age. Choose senior apartments with easy access to doctors and health care specialists. Active living apartments should be near what you enjoy, such as music, restaurants, outdoor activities, and parks. We choose our active living apartment locations with care so you have access to everything you need, including a thriving community of people with similar interests. Apartment Accessibility Forty percent of people aged 65 and older have at least one mobility issue, so keep accessibility and safety in mind when you choose senior living apartments. You may not need features such as wheelchair ramps, bathroom grab rails, and widened doors right now, but they could become important as you age. Housing Options Moving into seniors' apartments means leaving your long-term home. Choosing a well-designed, welcoming apartment helps make the transition easier. Do you want a studio apartment or a two-bedroom, two-bath suite? Consider the type of kitchen (Overture apartments have gourmet kitchens), flooring, walk-in closets, and ample storage. Look for senior living apartments with upscale finishes that transform a living space into a home. Community Events Senior apartment communities are tight-knit, friendly groups that welcome new members. Ask about the community and the activities they enjoy. What recreational amenities are available, and do they match your interests? On-site amenities may include swimming pools, aquacise classes, libraries, group excursions, craft areas, and communal gardens. Overture's robust and lively social calendars also include fitness classes, wellness instructors, educational seminars, social hours, and more. Our lifestyle programs are designed by our residents to help cultivate relationships, maintain health focus, and ignite new passions! Levels of Care You may need additional care as you age, so choose senior apartments offering multiple living levels. Doing so makes moving from independent to assisted living easier if needed. Some adult active living communities offer memory care as part of their assisted living programs. You may never need these services, but knowing they’re available helps you live life with confidence. Cost Cost is, of course, a consideration when choosing senior living apartments. Take the time to review your current expenses and compare them to the cost of the apartment. Factor in the type of services included in apartment costs: does the rental fee include utilities, housekeeping, and internet and/or cable? Check out our helpful affordability calculator to help assess the cost of seniors' apartments. Security Last but not least is security. You should feel safe in your new home. Ask about security features such as cameras, emergency lighting, and emergency response systems. If you had a medical emergency, how quickly would staff respond? What security precautions are in place to keep unauthorized people out of the apartment complex? The more secure you feel, the more you’ll enjoy your time in 55 and older apartments. Senior apartment communities and 55 and over apartments allow you to socialize with people your age who share similar life experiences. Check out our active living communities to see if an Overture community is the right choice for you.

Mental Health and Wellness Month: Tips for Seniors

May is Mental Health Month, but really, mental health for seniors is something we should consider year-round. As we age, we encounter issues that can negatively impact our mental health. The loss of a spouse, health issues, social isolation, and fears of growing old may result in anxiety and depression, which change brain function and increase the risk of cognitive decline. Mental health for seniors is always important, so with that in mind, here are some tips to help maintain healthy states of mind as we age. Socialize According to the CDC , almost a fourth of Americans aged 65 and older feel lonely and are socially isolated. Loneliness seriously impacts both the physical and mental health of seniors, increasing the risk of premature death, dementia, depression, and hospitalization. The best antidote to loneliness is socializing. Contact local mental health services for older adults and ask about community activities and social events. Talk to family members, and ask them to drop by and have a chat. Ring up that old friend or meet new ones. One of the best ways to combat loneliness is to live in a community of people your age. Adult active living communities have much lower rates of loneliness than the general community. Active living communities help build new relationships and friendships for seniors who have lost family and friends to time. Additionally, Overture's robust and lively social calendars offer many social engagements on a weekly basis - craft classes, guided walks or strolls with a neighbor, community celebrations, happy hours, and more! Exercise Your Mind The mind isn't a muscle, but it works best when exercised. Playing puzzle games, journaling, learning a new language, reading, taking courses on subjects that interest you, and starting a new hobby give your mind something to do. Many of these activities also provide opportunities to meet other people, so you get to socialize as well. Exercise Your Body Regular exercise helps seniors maintain muscle tone and reduces the risk of falls. Starting active as we age is also good for our physical health, as it helps manage stress and reduces anxiety. As with many mental activities, exercising often provides opportunities to socialize, further improving mental health in seniors. So if you ever wanted to learn to play pickleball or take up ballroom dancing, now’s a great time to start! Don’t forget about the events calendar at your Overture community and scope out the instructor-led fitness classes! From yoga, pickleball, pool fitness, and dance classes, our communities offer an array of options to stay active! Volunteer A sense of purpose is vital to our mental health. After retirement, people who focus on their careers often lose their sense of purpose, which can impact mental health. Volunteering helps you maintain a sense of purpose, and you have plenty to offer. You’ve got a lifetime of knowledge and skills non-profit organizations desperately need. The community benefits when seniors volunteer, and seniors reap the rewards of improved emotional and mental health. Care for a Pet Caring for a pet has enormous physical and mental health benefits. Dogs, cats, and other pets can reduce feelings of loneliness, provide purpose, and decrease blood pressure. Walking a dog or other pet helps you stay active and increases socialization as people stop to chat with you about your pet. Mental Health Resources for Older Adults Mental health for seniors is complex, and severe depression requires professional treatment. If you have persistent depression or anxiety, please seek professional help. You can access the following mental health services for older adults online: FindTreatment.gov helps find providers who specialize in mental illness and substance abuse disorders. The American Psychiatric Association Foundation assists in finding psychiatric help. American Psychological Association helps people find local psychologists and mental health therapists. Veterans can call the Veterans Crisis Line . The Eldercare Locator helps older adults find a wide range of assistive care. If you experience thoughts of hurting yourself or of suicide, please either call 911 or the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline . Mental health for seniors is essential, and impacts all aspects of life. Take care of your mental well-being as you age, and you’ll enjoy a long, happy retirement.

Spring Recipes to Try That Aid Healthy Aging

The breezes are warm and the sunshine bright. Fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables abound. Yes, spring is the gift that boosts the spirits – and the immune system. Incorporating seasonal produce into your spring recipes will put that extra, well…spring in your step. That delicious array of fresh produce, like tender baby lettuces, spinach, radishes, zucchini, strawberries, and watermelon adds seasonal color as well as essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to the plate. Versatile veggies can be grilled and eaten alone or blended into a casserole along with flavorful herbs. In fact, salads and casseroles are a great way to combine food groups to supply an assorted array of the nutrients seniors need. For optimal benefits, limit those foods high in sodium, fat, and sugar and open wide for the healthy stuff just waiting to be grilled, and sauteed or peeled and enjoyed. Can’t you just taste that juicy watermelon? Don’t forget your helping of lean protein. Experts suggest those of a certain age aim for a balanced diet that includes at least three meals per day and healthy snacks. Check out these easy spring recipes for seniors. Invite friends over to share the cooking and enjoy the results. Strawberry-Spinach Salad. Complete this meal with a whole grain roll and enjoy foods from all five food groups. Recipe includes: Spinach Strawberries Feta cheese Walnuts Lemon Pesto Pasta Primavera with Spring Vegetables. Transform your favorite pasta and veggies into a lemon pesto extravaganza with this recipe for homemade pesto sauce. All you need are these few simple ingredients. Fresh basil Lemon juice, lemon zest Garlic Pine nuts Parmesan Olive oil Toss into the blender for a few minutes and voila! Grilled Pizza This spring meal idea presents the perfect opportunity for creativity. Fire up the grill. Brush store-bought pizza dough or naan bread with olive oil and lightly grill on both sides before adding the veggies of your choice. Finish this masterpiece off by adding your favorite cheese – if you want cheese – and giving it a minute to melt. Your personal pizza may include: Spinach Asparagus Sweet peppers Basil Onions To sauce or not to sauce. That is a question only you can answer. Grilled Tuna with Chickpea and Spinach Salad Combine oil, garlic, lemon juice, and oregano and brush over tuna steaks. Marinate for 5-10 minutes before cooking. Grill or broil tuna on high for 3-4 minutes a side, until flesh is opaque and separates easily with a fork. Salad can be made in advance and refrigerated. Pamper yourself or invite friends to share your culinary delight. You will need: 1 Tbsp olive or canola oil 1 Tbsp garlic, minced (2-3 cloves) 2 Tbsp lemon juice 1 Tbsp oregano, minced or 1 tsp dried 12 oz tuna steak (good for four portions) For salad: ½ can low sodium chickpeas or garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed ½ bag leaf spinach rinsed and dried 1 Tbsp lemon juice 1 medium tomato, rinsed and cut into wedges 1/8 tsp salt 1/8 tsp black pepper Specifically designed to promote senior health and wellness, Overture’s premier active adult communities feature upscale state-of-the-art apartments. Your new kitchen is ready and waiting to prepare your healthy spring recipes. Rest assured, there will be no shortage of enthusiastic community members to sample your culinary creativity.

Dating while 55+

Ah, the dating game. There are some things about it that have not changed since Adam picked up Eve for a garden promenade. Romance is still romance. Cupid is still targeting unsuspecting victims and rendering them hopelessly love-struck. But there are some elements of the courtship process that are dramatically different. For example, nobody says “courtship process”. Maybe they never did. But you get the drift. When it comes to dating over 55 and older, there are three mitigating factors to consider. First of all – no surprise here - you are not the same person you were when you first embarked upon the dating scene. Second of all, the dating scene itself bears little or no resemblance to what you remember from your misspent youth. And third of all, senior dating is a world unto itself. Suffice it to say there is a good chance you are not looking for a partner with whom to have children. A very good chance. Who? Who is asking out whom? Who is driving to said date? Who is paying? Who is initiating the first kiss? Back in the stone age the rules were pretty clear. The answer to all of those questions was the same. Those lines are now blurred for all age groups, but especially in the realm of older dating. Both women and men are sitting in the driver seat, literally and figuratively. There is an equality to it that makes things both simpler and more complicated. Yes, either party can call to arrange a date, and text afterwards to say they had fun and would like to get together again. But now, the anxiety comes from wondering if you should be the one. Should you wait to get in contact? Is he/she waiting for you? Or is there radio silence because they are not interested? Where once women were waiting by the phone, now everybody is sweating – and running texts by their friends to see if they are too short, too long, too needy, too pushy, not pushy enough. It’s a very different terrain to navigate. It may take a minute, but you’ll get the hang of it. Practice makes perfect. How? Fortunately, today you don’t have to wait for your sister’s boyfriend's second cousin to fix you up with their aunt’s third ex-husband. There are tons of dating sites for the over 55 set. The upside is a wonderful electronically enhanced dating pool. The downside is you may be connecting with someone that nobody – including your sister’s boyfriend’s second cousin – has ever heard of. So, yes, definitely go for online dating. But yes, absolutely be aware of the potential pitfalls and exercise caution. Always arrange the first meeting in a public place. Always let a friend or family member know where you are. If you’re communicating with someone who will never meet you in person, end it. If your newfound cyber interest asks you for money, end the interchange and report that person to the site. Be wary of anyone who asks you to communicate off the dating site before meeting. There are tons of online dating success stories. With the right attitude and good common sense, you could join that happy club. Be Yourself There is no shortage of over 55 dating tips. Every friend and relative will want to impart their two cents. But there is really only one piece of advice that matters: Be yourself. This is your time to shine. The kids are on their own. You are footloose and free to choose whatever type of relationship you want. Your goal may be marriage. Or you may seek a regular companion who shares your interests. You may simply want a weekly dinner partner and have no interest in a more serious relationship that merges living spaces - or finances. Be honest about what you want. You’ve earned the right to be true to yourself. Overture’s premier active adult communities offer a unique opportunity to shortcut the dating maze. Instead of spending hours online, or politely declining endless fixups, join an inclusive, supportive community designed to facilitate and encourage all manner of meaningful relationships. The rule is, there are no rules. Your life. Your relationships. Your choice.

The Importance of a Fall Detection Device

I’ve fallen and I can’t get up. It’s become the signature line in those commercials for fall detection devices – and the punch line in jokes among seniors. But the truth is, there is nothing funny about seniors falling. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC): Roughly one of every four adults over 65 takes a fall every year. One in five of those falls causes a serious injury like broken bones or head trauma. 3 million seniors are treated in emergency rooms after a fall. Over 800,000 patients a year are hospitalized due to injuries sustained from a fall. Each year some 300,000 seniors are hospitalized by hip fractures, 95% of which are caused by falling. A fall can happen in a split second, particularly to those with balance issues, but also to the healthiest among us. All it takes is one false move – missing a step, tripping over a kid’s toy, miscalculating a curb. Before you know it, you’re down. In that moment, time becomes critical. The sooner you can get help, the better your odds of protecting your independence and quality of life. The bottom line: Fall detectors for seniors can be the difference between hours on the floor unassisted and getting essential emergency care immediately. What Exactly is a Fall Detection Device? Generally speaking, a fall detection device helps reduce the risk of long-term injury by detecting a person’s abrupt change of position. The device then calls for help, even if the person is unable to, sending an immediate signal for emergency aid. Specifically speaking, there are two types of fall detection devices: Wearable sensors and ambient sensors. Wearable Sensors A wearable sensor is incorporated into a watch, pendant, belt, or clip-on device. This sensor will determine the speed at which a person moves to the ground. An algorithm will confirm whether or not the wearer fell. An agent will then contact the wearer through a speaker in the device and one of two scenarios will play out: If the person responds and confirms they have fallen, the agent will contact the person’s emergency contact set up in the system in advance. If the person does not respond, the agent will automatically reach out to the emergency contact on their behalf. Many wearable devices feature a panic button so the person can self-report a fall if they are able. Ambient Sensors Ambient sensors used strategically placed video cameras in the home or apartment to track movement. When the ambient sensor detects a fall, the monitoring service will contact the resident through a speaker in the home. As in the case of the wearable device, if the person confirms a fall, a notification will be sent to the emergency contact. If there is no response, the emergency contact will be automatically notified. Accuracy and Limitations Though it is abundantly clear these state-of-the-art sensors are not your grandma's fall detection devices, manufacturers admit none of these products are 100% foolproof. According to the director of education and advocacy for Age Safe America, the rate of successful detection is about 85%. In terms of getting the best bang for your buck, studies indicate that while your smartwatch can detect a fall, devices worn closer to your center of gravity, like a necklace or pendant, and closer to your shoulder, will deliver more accurate information. At Overture’s premier active adult communities , the focus is on your health and well-being. Specifically designed to support a safe, independent, stress-free lifestyle, Overture strives to make this chapter of life the best one yet. Book a tour today and see just how fulfilling and active your life can be. You’ve got a lot of living to do.

How to "Spring" into Wellness for Seniors this Year

Can you feel it? The flora and fauna are stirring. The sun is stronger. The breezes are balmier. There is renewed energy all around. Time to turn off the TV, throw away the Doritos, and lace up the sneakers. Spring is the time of rejuvenation for body and spirit. Just thinking about the season of rebirth can reinvigorate the spirit. For the body, you’ll need that positive attitude – and some actual effort. Here are some spring wellness tips to boost your spring into fitness. Be Proactive – but Realistic Before embarking on your personal spring over 55 workout program, it’s important to accurately assess your current fitness level. You may have been a little more sedentary during the winter months and it might take some time to get back into the swing, swim, or gym of things. So, start small with gentle exercise like an easy walking schedule. Ten minutes of daily walking can quickly become 15, 20, 30 or 45 minutes at a stretch. If you’re finally making your way back to the weight room, or cardio equipment at the gym, stay safe by never increasing your weight, time, speed or intensity more than 10% a week. And Speaking of Stretching… No matter what sport or activity you choose, a comprehensive stretching routine that wakes up all the various parts of the body can be the difference between fun and a trip to the emergency room. Warming up big and small muscle groups will help keep you safely in motion on the course, the courts, in the garden, in the pool, or on the Zumba floor. Step Outside Your Comfort Level – Outside There are so many ways to combine love of outdoors with enhanced fitness. Maybe this is your season to be a pioneer and try something new. Why not: Try a bike ride with friends. Take a hike or go camping. Go kite flying or frisbee throwing in the park. Join a community garden club. Participate in a charity walkathon. Yoga in the park? Namaste. Volunteer at a river or park clean-up. Try a new water sport like paddle boarding or kayaking – or join a water aerobics class. Find Your Community Nothing engages the mind, body, and spirit like exercising or socializing with friends. Joining a walking group or fitness class uplifts both the body and mind. For those lucky enough to live in a 55+ community, there are like-minded peers on every floor, just waiting to welcome you into the group. In a world specifically designed to accommodate the needs and desires of the empty nester lifestyle, you are king – or queen. Spring Cleaning – of the Fridge High on the list of health and wellness tips for spring: Fruits and veggies. Spring means fresh, local in-season produce galore. Don’t be shy about loading up the fridge with the fruits and vegetables that are so critical to senior health. Grab a buddy and enjoy an outing to the local farmer’s market. Maybe this is the season you will try a new recipe that includes dandelion greens. Be Kind to Yourself Remember, Arnold Schwarzenegger was not sculpted in a day. It may take a while to see the results of your spring fitness efforts, but you will see them. Be patient and try to find activities that you love. It will be easy once you become part of one of Overture’s premier active adult communities and have unlimited options at your fingertips. ‘Tis the season to spring into fun and fitness. Enjoy the journey!