Blog Posts

Where to Find the Best At-Home Workouts for Older Active Adults

When we couldn’t go to the gym, we found creative ways to exercise. Sidewalks were filled with walkers and bikers, and the virtual exercise market, well, it virtually exploded, offering an eclectic assortment of home exercise programs geared to all levels and interests. Now that we’re no longer under house arrest, many have decided there’s no place like home for a great workout. Whether you want to freshen up your daily exercise routine or start a brand new workout regimen, there is an at-home workout program just waiting for you to click “start!” Here are a few popular sites to consider. Alo Moves When it comes to exercise for seniors at home, Alo Moves is the perfect place to start. Catering to all levels of fitness, Alo Moves offers thousands of different workout options. Choose from beginner, moderate, intermediate, or advanced classes in yoga and all types of fitness to achieve your workout goals. You can download the routines so you can take your workout outdoors, and you can take advantage of the free 2-week trial. After that, the cost is $20 per month. P.Volve For easy exercises at home try, P.Volve fitness. The P.Volve combines high intensity with low impact by using resistance-based exercises to help build functional strength. Members have access to more than 200 workouts with new routines added weekly. The cost is $20 per month or $135 for a yearly membership. Obe Fitness Besides unlimited access to both life and on-demand fitness classes, Obe Fitness has the added feature of recommending classes based on your fitness level and experience. There are 100 live classes per week and signature 28-minute workouts designed to fit into your schedule. The cost is $27 per month and $200 per year. PiYo Recommended for those with joint issues, PiYo combines the best of yoga and pilates to increase strength and flexibility. It’s a low-impact workout done faster than normal yoga and pilates to add cardio benefits. This program is offered through beachbondyondemand.com. The cost structure is $39 for three months, $59 for six months, and $99 for a year-long membership. Love Sweat Fitness Aimed primarily at women, Love Sweat Fitness is an 8-week cardio and strength at-home exercise program designed to accommodate every fitness level. The workouts are straightforward and fun, and the program comes with an exercise encyclopedia that outlines the proper form of each move. The cost to join is $50. Be sure to accurately assess your fitness level before embarking on any new program. Start slowly at first and modify any movements that are too advanced for you. As you gain more strength and flexibility, you can increase the intensity of your workouts accordingly. It’s good to watch a sample class before joining any virtual program to make sure it is a good fit for your condition and goals. Once you choose a program, all you have to do is get off the couch! Ready, set, sweat!

29 Essential Documents to Have in Order for Aging Parents

Seems like only yesterday your parents were up to their elbows in your Pampers. Now it’s your turn at the changing table. Aging parents and small children. Welcome to the sandwich generation. As you begin to realize the importance of creating a legacy for your own children, it may have already dawned on you to have a conversation with Mom and Dad about the state of their affairs. Keep in mind this talk may be about as welcome as “the talk” you were forced to endure as a teen. The subject of wills and estates is like the elephant in the room. It’s big, scary, and imposing—and nobody wants to discuss it. But, taking stock and getting organized now means avoiding legal battles and hassles down the road. Once all the necessary papers are signed, sealed, and delivered, your parents can get back to the business of enjoying active adult life. Important Legal Documents for Seniors You will want to include financial , healthcare, and estate planning documents on any checklist for aging parents. These documents exist to protect your parent’s rights and make their present and future wishes clear. Financial Documents: • A list of all bank accounts • Pension documents, 401(k) information, and annuity contracts • Tax returns • Savings bonds, stock certificates, or brokerage accounts • Partnership and corporate operating agreements • Deeds to all properties • Vehicle titles • Documentation of loans and debts, including all credit accounts • Financial Power of Attorney Medical Documents: • Living Will: This end-of-life paperwork, also known as an advanced health directive, clearly and specifically outlines a senior’s preferences regarding issues like life support, organ donation. • Health care proxy or power of attorney • Authorization to release health care information • Personal medical history • Insurance card (Medicare, Medicaid, Independent) • Long-term care insurance policy Estate Planning Documents • A will • Trust documents • Life-insurance policies • End-of-life instructions letter to include anything not covered in the will. • Actions letter to include any wishes not stated in the will. Often this letter includes instructions for the memorial. Other Pertinent Documents • Marriage papers • Divorce papers • List of online usernames and passwords • List of safe deposit boxes and the location of their keys • Military records • Birth certificate • Driver’s license • Social Security card • Passport Easy Access is Important Kudos if you and your parents have already started working on an end-of-life checklist. Once you’ve accumulated all the necessary paperwork, make sure it is in a safe, secure, easily accessible place. It’s also important to keep all documents up to date, making changes when necessary. It’s never too soon to sit down and make a legal checklist for aging parents. These legal documents for seniors can lighten the burden of a difficult time. Being organized is the ultimate act of love and makes it easier, and less stressful to pass on the rewards of a life well spent.

Décor Tips to Warm Your Home This Winter

As we get ready to hunker down this particular winter, creating a living space that is warm-both literally and figuratively-is more important than ever. Fortunately, there are plenty of easy, creative apartment decorating tips that will keep you cozy as you hibernate. How to Make Your Home Cozy Turn Up the Heat in Bed As much as that sounds romantic, the real secret is swapping out your airy summer bedding for something more substantial. You can pile on the heavier blankets or you can create a warm inviting cocoon by investing in a good wool mattress pad that provides insulation in the winter and wicks moisture in the summer. Flannel or microfiber sheets will add an extra layer of warmth, and in more severe climates, a down comforter will seal the toasty deal. Here Comes the Fuzz Nothing warms up a living room like fuzzy accessories. Cool pillows and throws add colorful accents and huge amounts of snuggle factor to the décor. Cure the Winter Blues with Greenery We may not be able to enjoy Mother Nature’s gifts outdoors right now, but we can certainly bring them inside. Green plants go a long way toward warming up the ambiance while winter’s winds blow. Warm the Windows Heavier window treatments can be a key element in keeping the winter cold at bay. The lighter shades that work to insulate in the summer may need a little extra support to keep things cozy. Fabric curtains or honeycomb shades are good options. Say it With Candles The days are short, and the nights are long. Why not add some mood lighting with candles? Scented or unscented, candles create a warm, inviting ambiance that will take the edge off the winter blahs. Hot Cocoa Anyone? Hot drinks are a winter staple. Whether you are a tea drinker, love your coffee, or can’t resist hot chocolate with whipped cream, you will need a special mug to drink from. Get a set of hooks and your cool mug collection can serve the dual purpose of holding your favorite steaming beverage and adding a fun accent to the kitchen. Floor Décor Those floors that are so delightfully cool in summer can be seriously frosty and unappealing in the winter. Treat your feet to strategically placed area rugs. Be sure not to ignore the bathroom floor. When the temperature dips below freezing, your feet will thank you! Generate Heat with Heaters If you have areas of your apartment that tend to get particularly drafty in winter, you might want to plug in a space heater. Be sure to choose a model that shuts off automatically if overheated. Snuggle up in a comfy throw, fire up the scented candles, grab your favorite cuppa, and enjoy the winter from your cozy Overture active adult apartment. Hopefully, a few simple home decorating tips can help warm your home and your mood in the coming months.

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. 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!