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The Ultimate Reading List for Older Adults

Buckle up. You’re about to enter a world of unlimited possibilities, where time and place have no boundaries. Explore outer space, relive a piece of history, leap forward into a utopian—or dystopian—future, or become embroiled in a steamy romance. The choice is yours and yours alone. All it takes is a good book. Books are our passport to the universe. But while there is nothing like a real page-turner to enlighten, lift the spirits, and spark the imagination, reading is so much more than an entertaining pastime. As we age, books can be a powerful tool to keep us sharp and engaged. Studies show reading can improve your quality of life by : · increasing mental stimulation · slowing the onset of dementia · reducing stress · supporting social skills · improving reasoning, vocabulary, critical thinking, sleep, memory, and concentration Check out a few of these popular books for seniors. Maybe one will be the ticket to your next reading adventure. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah Kristen Hannah’s World War II drama brings history to life through the eyes of two sisters. Her writing style is fluid and immersive. You’ll be sad when it’s over. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot This novel handily merges science with human drama as Rebecca Skloot chronicles the medical journey of Henrietta Lacks, a poor tobacco farmer whose cells, taken without her knowledge or consent, became a cornerstone of medical research. Though non-fiction, it reads like a novel you can’t put down while educating the reader about an intriguing and, at times, disturbing episode in the history of medicine. The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America by Erik Larson Erik Larsen has the extraordinary gift of freezing a moment in history and extracting its essence, giving it context and perspective while weaving a brilliant story. The Devil in the White City pivots on the Chicago World’s Fair while focusing on the parallel lives of the architect who designed it and the serial killer who haunted it. There are fascinating facts on every page. The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes The Giver of Stars is a work of fiction crafted around Eleanor Roosevelt’s innovative pack mule library in Appalachia during the depression. The story mingles romance, history, and the power of women. It is both entertaining and informative. The Murmur of Bees by Sofia Segovia If you like Spanish mysticism, this work of fiction will take you on a magical journey. Spanning generations, it’s the saga of a family in Mexico and an adopted child who changes the course of all their lives. The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides Alex Michaelides has created a murder mystery that will keep you on the edge of your seat all the way through. It twists and turns and is guaranteed to surprise. A Long Petal of the Sea by Isabel Allende Prolific Chilean author Isabel Allende has produced another novel that spans continents, connecting the history and politics of Spain and Chile. Peppered with romance and intrigue, this novel has it all. The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson Awaiting his hundredth birthday party, Allan Karlsson decides to make a run for it. He climbs out the window and embarks on an adventure where he has noteworthy escapades while looking back on a life well-lived. A perfect novel for the young at heart. Prime of Life by P.D. Bekendam How fitting that on the list of best books to read after retirement is a book about a man who’s retired. Prime of Life is the story of a janitor at a senior living community who is not exactly what he appears to be. Plenty of humor and eccentric characters make this a fun read. The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Olympic Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown If you liked Unbroken and Seabiscuit by Laura Hillenbrand, you would love this dramatic depiction of the American team that rowed its way into the history books at Hitler’s 1936 Berlin Olympics. Using the young men’s diaries and journals, Brown shares a remarkable story of hope in dire times, Though today’s older adults are the generation of book lovers who loved actual books, there is something to be said for all the enhanced reading options available through the magic of technology. Read on your Kindle or Ipad, and adjust the print size to your comfort level. Or pull up a chaise, close your eyes and listen to a great read on audiobooks or Amazon audible. No matter how you choose to enjoy your reading experience, elevate its benefits to a higher level by joining a book club. As active adults in selected Overture communities are finding, nothing checks the boxes for social, emotional, and intellectual stimulation like getting together for a book discussion. Whether you go for classic feel-good books, easy reading books, or even short stories for seniors, a good book and good friends add up to a regular event you won’t want to miss. And that’s non-fiction.

Easy Sleep Solutions for Seniors

To say that a few things have changed for us physically and mentally since our twenties would be like calling Bill Gates a moderate success. Gross understatement. But here’s a fact that may surprise you. Though we may look and feel differently than our much younger selves, according to the National Sleep Foundation, we still need just as much sleep. How Much Sleep Does a 60-Year Old Woman Need? A sleep panel studying the different sleep requirements for various age groups found that younger adults should aspire to 7 to 9 hours per night. Their results indicated older adults functioned optimally with between 7 and 8 hours nightly. Hardly the significant difference you might expect based on, how shall we say, the mirror? Nothing derails a day like a night spent tossing and turning, unable to maintain a deep, regenerative slumber. Unfortunately, studies show the relationship between aging and sleep is inversely proportional. The older we get, the less likely we are to drift off quickly and stay that way through the night. The magic age appears to be 60 when shifts in hormone and melatonin levels may begin to interfere with our beauty sleep, causing us to take longer to get to dreamland, and have more difficulty staying there uninterrupted. It’s tough to overstate the importance of sleep. Lack of it has a profound impact on both our mood and our immune systems. It’s as vital to our wellbeing as exercise and a healthy diet. If your insomnia is persistent, check with a professional to rule out any underlying medical issues. For occasional difficulty falling and staying asleep, check out these tips for finding bedtime bliss. Develop a Consistent Routine One of the best treatments for insomnia in older adults is one of the simplest. Create a bedtime routine and repeat it every night. Whether it’s going to bed at the same time, having a cup of warm milk or herbal tea before bed, or enjoying a warm soak in the tub before slipping under the covers. All that matters is you find a consistent routine that relaxes you and signals both mind and body that it’s bedtime. Address Your Stress Worry is the enemy of sleep. Create a diversion for yourself to move your stress to the back burner so you can get a good night’s sleep. Writing in a journal, watching silly television, or immersing yourself in a good book before lights out may be helpful. Whatever works for you. The main point is to focus on something other than your stressors right before bed. Naps? Just Say No Some people can enjoy a nap in the afternoon and sleep like a baby at night. But for others, daytime shuteye makes nighttime sleep challenging. If you have insomnia, you may want to avoid naps and save those beautiful dreams for bedtime. Get Moving Exercise serves many masters. It’s both an energizer and a sleep enhancer. A sedentary lifestyle may make you feel lethargic, but unlike exercise, it won’t tire out your body in a healthy way that promotes good sleep. Create A Peaceful Sleep Environment The older we get, the more sensitive we become to noise, light, and temperature fluctuations. Make sure your bedroom is quiet, dark, and cool. Maybe it’s time to turn the mattress, or even invest in a new one that is super comfortable. If you’re easily distracted from sleep by even the slightest noise, try a sound machine or even earplugs. Now that you’re feathering an empty nest, it may be time for a complete change of scenery that includes a whole new bedroom. Overture’s active adult apartments are designed with the comfort and wellbeing of older adults in mind. Think of it as just what the sleep doctor ordered. Sweet dreams!

How to Safely Move into an Active Adult Community During a Pandemic

In the best of times, isolation can overwhelm older adults living in single family homes. The pandemic has exacerbated the problem into a crisis of epic proportions. Driven indoors, too many seniors are cut off from social interaction and the support of even close family members. Never have older adults needed a spirit of community more. Active Adult Communities: Together Apart Focused on fostering that sense of belonging and shared experience, active adult communities are the port in the proverbial storm, providing a haven for seniors that is both safe and inclusive. With poolside get togethers, happy hours, or creative classes, it’s all about having fun together while staying safely apart. You may be just now pondering your rightsizing options. Or, you may have already made the decision to embrace the peace of mind active adult living provides. Either way, now is the time to address the moving van in the room: How does one safely move during a pandemic? Here are some safe moving tips to help get you on the road to the stress free, maintenance free lifestyle that awaits. Finding the Right Moving Company Your first and most important step toward your active adult future is finding a moving company who prioritizes your safety. As you vet your choices, ask frank, direct questions. -- Do the movers clean trucks and all equipment between moves? -- Are they actively monitoring the health of their employees? -- Are the movers supplied with masks, gloves and hand sanitizer? -- Do they practice conscientious social distancing? If the answers to any of these questions do not satisfy you, move on to the next. You still want to make sure your movers will protect your stuff, but these days you also want to make sure you share the same attitude toward protecting your health. Ask if they have any recommendations for how you can help make the move as safe and smooth as possible. Say "No Thank You" to Family Your family may want to help you move, but it’s probably best to keep your kids, grandkids and nannies out of the picture. Though they have the best intentions, the fewer people onsite during the move, the less interaction anybody will have with the movers and the more space the professionals will have to do their job. Packing and Unpacking In normal times, you might have had movers pack and unpack your belongings. For now, to limit contact and exposure, you might be more comfortable handing it yourself. If you do choose to have the movers pack for you, you might want to let the boxes sit in the garage for a few days before unpacking. Tips for Moving to Another State If the active adult community of your dreams is in another state, be sure to find a company that specializes in long distance moves and does not subcontract out the work. It’s best to book the move at least a month in advance as companies need more time to execute covid protocols between long hauls. Finding Your Active Adult Community Overture’s team of caring experts are standing by to guide you through your selection process and ensure your move-in experience is both safe and seamless. From virtual tours of our communities, to strict adherence to CDC disinfection guidelines, Overture is going the extra mile to ensure your new living space is a comfortable, healthy environment in which to begin this exciting new chapter of your life. Discover Overture 55+ communities near me . Overture’s COVID-conscious protocols include: 1. Personal phone calls with each incoming new resident detailing all current move in policies. 2. 14-day self-quarantining for incoming residents either before or after the move. 3. Carefully coordinated individual move in timeframes. 4. Apartments will be empty and ventilated for 24-hours between outgoing and incoming residents. 5. One elevator clearly marked as the designated move-in elevator. Upon completion of the move, that elevator will remain open for at least an hour to facilitate ventilation. It will then be cleaned and disinfected before use. 6. Requirement for movers to wear masks and gloves at all times. 7. For their safety and the safety of their neighbors, new residents will be asked to follow all safety protocols in place, like limiting the number of visitors to only those that are essential. Contact the Overture premier community of your choice. Before you know it, you’ll be enjoying the freedom that comes with peace of mind about your present and future —and wondering why you waited so long!

Exercise Your Brain With These 10 Activities

We walk , we bike , we swim , we stretch, we lift weights, all in the pursuit of keeping our bodies fit and functional. However, research suggests we are not addressing our overall health unless we include healthy brain activities as well. Incorporating brain exercises into our workout regimen will help make sure we stay sharp both physically and cognitively. Here are a few basic brain exercises to improve memory and help keep your brain as well-toned as your body. 1. Solve the Puzzle Puzzles like crosswords and sudoku, and word games like scrambled words and cryptograms are great brain stimulators. All you need is a newspaper or a puzzle book and your brain will get a workout. 2. Test Your Memory Make a grocery list, or a list of friends or things to do or state capitals and memorize it. Put it aside for an hour or so. Then try to recall as many items on the list as you can. The less familiar the subject matter, the more challenging it will be to remember. 3. Make Some Music Studies show pursuing something new over an extended period of time is a great way to engage the mind. Learning a musical instrument or joining a choir will help keep you and your brain in harmony. 4. Math on the Go While you are taking your morning walk outside or on the treadmill, create math problems in your head and solve them without the benefit of a pencil or computer. Talk about maximizing your workout. 5. Cook for Cognition Cooking is a delicious way to exercise the brain. Not only will you be stimulating multiple parts of the brain including smell, touch, sight and taste, but you’ll also come away with new meal ideas. 6. Parlez-Vous Francais? Learning a foreign language requires your brain to fire on all cylinders. You’ll improve your listening and hearing skills while supporting memory, 7. Create Words In much the same way you would create math problems in your head, try visualizing the spelling of different words. Make a game of it by spelling a word, then thinking of synonyms or words that start with the same two letters. 8. Map it Out Get a blank map of the United States and try filling in the names of all the states. Once you’ve done that, try adding the capital cities from memory, or the names of airports in the big cities. There are unlimited ways to test your memory. 9. It’s the Little Things As we age, our decreased brain function interferes with our small motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Try a new skill like knitting, drawing or assembling a jigsaw puzzle to hone your dexterity. 10. Combine the Mental and Physical There are many sports that integrate mental and physical activity. Yoga, tennis, and golf are a few great examples. Though these days there is a plethora of brain training software out there, the jury is out on its effectiveness. Experts suggest the best results will come from real-world activities. Even something as simple as completing a routine task with a different hand can challenge your brain and help maintain its acuity. However, you choose to exercise your brain, remember, it’s the thoughts that count.

10 Budgeting Tips That Will Help You Enjoy Retirement

By the time you’re ready and able to retire , it is well-earned. Retirement is a stage of life full of free time for developing your hobbies and interests after putting in years of hard work. While you enjoy this new-found freedom, it’s important to prioritize your post-retirement savings and have a solid budgeting system. Here are some tips for staying on financial track after you’ve retired. Budget Around the Must-Haves Based on your sources of income, whether that’s Social Security and/or other investments, create a budget around essential, fixed expenses. Focus on the big picture of what you need to survive rather than luxury items that you’d like to have. Items to think about include: Healthcare Housing Transportation Food Once you’ve addressed the concrete expenses – as well as debts and taxes – you can work on your discretionary budget for travel, gifts, entertainment, and more. Know Your Spending Patterns To get a solid idea about what essential and discretionary items to incorporate into your budget, review your purchase patterns. Does your spending go up during certain times of the year such as holidays? What about the cost of cable, internet, and utilities? Sometimes, these expenses can fluctuate. Check your credit card statements and summaries to identify your ongoing monthly bills and expenditures. Create a Budgetary Cushion As you’re planning your budget and taking into account all aspects of your spending, it never hurts to allow for some wiggle room – a financial cushion to help smooth the transition into retirement. The change from bi-weekly income to monthly income requires a mental shift, but a cushion can help create a seamless adjustment. Limit Your Retirement Withdrawals Avoid giving yourself unlimited access to investment funds. Set up a “retirement paycheck” of some kind as an automatic deposit into your spending account on a monthly or bi-monthly basis. This systematic approach to withdrawing funds will keep your income consistent and help you stay on budget. Retirees are encouraged to limit withdrawals from retirement savings to 4% to 5% for the first year of retirement, with increases in the following years to account for inflation. Have Your Taxes Automatically Withheld If you’re taking income from an IRA or other retirement account, make sure that federal and state taxes are automatically withheld before you receive your income. This way, you have one less expense on your mind – and you don’t get behind. Retirement is about freeing up mental space for more fun activities, not remembering to put away money for taxes. Meet with a Financial Advisor If possible, get with your financial advisor to consolidate any retirement accounts you may have as a way to simplify your life and organize your income. This enables you to review your earnings and spending in a more streamlined way, while possibly even reducing fees. While visiting with a financial services provider, consider estate planning to get it out of the way and free your loved ones from having to deal with it later. Make Sure You’re in the Right Housing You’ve worked hard to get here. Now, it’s your turn to relax and smell the roses instead of worrying about home maintenance. At this time in life, many seniors will trade in the burden of property ownership for life in an upscale, convenient 55+ community . With so many options available at Overture, retirees are living life to the fullest in amenity-rich communities. Take Advantage of Senior Perks Discounts for certain age groups are available for a reason: The world knows how hard you’ve worked and contributed to the economy and society. Take advantage of bargains, benefits, and programs that are designed to make your life easier in these retirement years. Whether it’s discounted matinee movie tickets or lower-priced meals at your favorite restaurant, these perks will add up. Just make sure you always have your ID on hand for age verification. Programs such as AARP are also great sources for information, deals, and advice for properly approaching retirement and making the most of it. Secure a Relaxed, Post-Retirement Job A little supplemental income is never a bad thing, especially if you’re someone who enjoys working. Many seniors will seek part-time work in their post-retirement days to earn a little extra money while staying busy doing valuable work. If this sounds appealing to you, and your circumstances call for it, there are plenty of fulfilling options for employment out there. Just be careful that this extra income doesn’t interfere with the money you are receiving from Social Security or other government programs. Live and let live during this exciting time. Spend your days doing what you love and reaping the benefits of an active community’s amenities rather than fretting about finances. Explore personal growth every day, at your own pace and on your budget. Start budgeting today with our senior living calculator .

Moving vs. Staying – What’s the Difference Between Aging in Place and Moving to a Senior Living Community?

Senior living communities have come a long way. Yet many 55 or better active adults are afraid of the prospect of downsizing to active living community because of common misconceptions, finances, and/or the emotional impact of change. That’s why it’s important for you to have all the right information about the true potential of an active senior community experience . The Benefits of Rightsizing When you look closely at the numbers and benefits of rightsizing , you can better imagine a life free from many everyday responsibilities. You’ll begin to see a vision of leisure and adventure, where you will have more mental and emotional space for activities and events you can actually enjoy. Moving into the right active adult community can mark the next exciting chapter of your life, and here’s why so many have made the move. Financial Pros and Cons A common reason why people “age in place” at home is affordability. Many believe that living at home with an in-home caregiver is more cost-effective than moving into an active community, but this isn’t always the case. Here’s how the two differ when it comes down to dollars and cents. Cost of Living Ideally, many seniors would like to downsize to a nice community, where things are taken care of and maintenance is minimal, but they don’t believe it’s financially viable. This myth is easily debunked when you think about how aging in place means aging with all the separate bills, maintenance costs, and miscellaneous expenses that stack up. Expenses can include: Mortgage (unless it’s paid off) Electricity Cable / Internet Homeowner’s Insurance Property taxes HOA fees Home repair costs Snow removal Trash removal Lawn and landscaping services Gym memberships The list goes on. At an active adult community, however, these things are worked into the streamlined monthly fee. By this point in your life, your home is likely paid off, and yet at-home expenses still add up a lot faster than if you lived in a community. With a paid-off home, you can actually use the equity from this asset to pay for the easier, more enjoyable life at a community filled with senior living amenities . Cost of Care A major aspect to consider when deciding whether to move or age in place is the cost of care services, which tend to be the most expensive part of in-home care. According to the insurance company Genworth’s 2019 survey on the cost of long-term care, the national average cost for a paid in-home care provider is $4,385 per month . So why not ask for the help of an unpaid family member? Unfortunately, that can cost even more (and not just financially). The National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP report that unpaid family caregivers lose an average of nearly $304,000 in wages and benefits over their lifetime (women being on the higher end of financial loss). Evidence even shows that assuming the role of caregiver in midlife may increase the risk for a woman to live in poverty in old age. The more you weigh the list of expenses between in-home care and community life, the clearer the financial benefits become – for everyone involved. Making the move will more than likely save you and your family money in the end. Here’s a senior living cost calculator to give you a better idea of what life at a community like Overture would look like financially. Social Side of Things It’s been proven that socializing is good for you. Several studies have shown a strong correlation between social interaction and health and well-being , especially among older adults. When living at home and aging in place, it’s a lot easier to become socially isolated and lonely. In a community, it’s exactly what it sounds like – a community filled with neighbors, activities, freshly prepared cuisine that’s right for you, and avenues for personal development. An active adult community like Overture is designed to support your social, emotional and physical preferences and needs along with others who are looking for the same thing. Mental and Emotional Wellbeing Without the burden of your house maintenance and finances, you have more time and mental and emotional space for doing things you love. In this way, you’re able to pursue passions, friendships, and personal growth at your own pace, stress-free. Contrary to popular belief, rightsizing to an active community for adults 55+ is more likely to increase your independence. At home, you rely on others to help you complete certain tasks, whereas in a community, you are discreetly and appropriately supported in your daily tasks and interests – without the fear of plans or people falling through. You’re also near the medical care you require, which not only provides relief for you, but also for your loved ones on your behalf. Physical Health It’s hard enough to incorporate exercise into a daily routine, let alone if you have limited access to equipment or a gym. Unless you have an at-home gym and the right safety measures in place, it can be cumbersome to do your exercises in-house. On top of that, gym memberships are costly, and getting there isn’t always the most convenient task. At an active adult community like Overture, you have access to many fitness and exercise opportunities, as well as equipment, training, and programs to support your physical health goals. It’s important to us that you feel good and experience the highest quality of life possible. Aging in Motion Change is hard, and we know that entering a new chapter can be very exciting and stressful at the same time. Deciding when to move to senior living or stay at home brings its own emotional moments, but it’s important that you know the benefits of 55+ community life . In short, you can save money and stress by making the move, and thus, gain reliable support, relationships, and a fulfilling lifestyle in one place. To us, home is where your heart is happy and healthy. If you need more details regarding potential pricing, please contact us at Overture. We’d love to walk you through the proper steps to aging in motion.