A Guide to Reflecting and Setting Goals
Start the year with reflection and goal-setting for a fulfilling and purposeful journey ahead. Maple Knoll Communities shares tips to inspire growth in wellness, lifelong learning, and social engagement.
Welcome to the Maple Knoll Blog
Discover expert advice, insights, and practical tips on all things senior living in the Maple Knoll Blog. From health and wellness to lifestyle and community, we cover key trends and research-backed topics to help seniors, families, and caregivers make informed decisions and enrich their lives.
Categories
Financial Planning for Senior Living
Planning for a senior living community requires understanding costs, amenities, and care levels, such as assisted living or CCRCs. Comparing current expenses with provided services and consulting a financial planner can help create a sustainable budget.
What is a Continuing Care Retirement Community?
A Continuing Care Retirement Community provides a range of senior living options—from independent living to assisted living and skilled nursing care—all within one community. This ensures residents receive the right care as their needs change while enjoying a vibrant, maintenance-free lifestyle.
Embracing Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month: A Guide for Seniors
This guide offers helpful tips for seniors and their families to better understand Alzheimer's disease and its impact. Embracing awareness can foster a supportive environment for those living with the disease, providing resources to manage daily life and maintain dignity.
Embracing Generosity
Embracing generosity is about fostering a culture of giving, whether through small acts of kindness or larger charitable contributions. At Maple Knoll Communities, we encourage residents, families, and staff to come together and make a lasting impact on the community through shared generosity.
The Importance of Mental Health for Seniors
Maintaining mental health is crucial for seniors, as it affects overall well-being and quality of life. This guide highlights strategies to promote mental wellness, including staying active, socializing, and seeking professional support when needed.
Recognizing the Signs Your Loved One Needs Memory Support
Recognizing the signs that a loved one may need memory support is essential for ensuring they receive the care they deserve. This guide offers valuable insights into common symptoms of memory loss and how to approach the conversation about seeking professional help.
The Vital Role of Social Workers in Senior Living Communities
Senior living social workers provide support, advocacy, and guidance for older adults. Often the unsung heroes, they work tirelessly behind the scenes to help seniors navigate transitions while promoting well-being, respect, and resilience.
Are Retirement Communities Worth It?
Retirement communities offer numerous benefits, including a maintenance-free lifestyle, social opportunities, and access to tailored healthcare services. This article explores whether the value of these communities aligns with the needs and preferences of seniors looking for a fulfilling and secure living environment.
Active Adult Communities vs. Retirement Communities: Understanding the Difference
Active adult communities and retirement communities each offer distinct benefits, catering to different needs and lifestyles. This article breaks down the differences, helping seniors choose the right fit based on their desire for independence, amenities, and access to healthcare services.
Common Financial Scams that Target Older Adults
According to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), over 88,000 individuals ages 60 and up reported they were victims of an internet scam in 2022. This was a drastic 84% increase compared to 2021 reports, and monetary losses totaled over three billion dollars, the highest
The Time for Seniors to Sell Their Home is Now
If you have been watching the housing market and wondering when the right time to sell your home is, the time could very well be now. According the Wall Street Journal, the real estate market is still strongly favoring sellers. Because of the high demand for
When it Comes to Sustainability, Where You Live Matters
What is Sustainability? Sustainability is most often defined as the ability to exist and develop in the present without depleting natural resources of the future. Why should living sustainably matter to you? To put it simply, living sustainably should matter because our entire existence depends on
The Health Benefits of Swimming
Staying healthy and active can become more difficult as muscle and joint pain set in and range of motion becomes limited with age. Alternative exercises such as swimming are much safer and easier on the body. Swimming is an ideal workout for older adults, mainly because
The Importance of Involvement
Social involvement is important at any age, especially for older adults. Having an active role in the community adds purpose and meaning to their lives while also providing opportunities to build lasting friendships. Residents of Maple Knoll Village are encouraged to be as involved in the
Importance of Oral Health for Older Adults
It’s common knowledge that exercise and a healthy diet play crucial roles in our overall health, especially as we age. However, many people are unaware that oral health is just as important. The risk of losing our teeth increases as we age, which can lead to
What Community Means for Seniors
Staying social has mental, emotional and physical benefits for older adults. Throughout our lives, we crave a sense of belonging. Studies have found that as people get older, their social capital, or connection to others, has even greater value for successful aging. According to the National
What is Hospice Care? And why is it so important?
Hospice care provides physical, psychological, social and spiritual support for those who are in their last stages of a terminal illness. Typically, hospice care is suggested by a healthcare provider when a patient has six months or less to live. Many individuals who are experiencing terminal
Long Distance Caregiving
For adult children with aging parents that need assistance, knowing how to provide support doesn’t always come naturally. Adult children who act as caregivers for their parents are often raising families of their own and many are still part of the workforce. To make matters even
Downsizing Guide for Seniors
It’s common for seniors in their sixties to consider downsizing to a smaller home or moving to a senior living community. In fact, 51% of retirees over the age of 50 move into smaller homes. However, this decision can be a difficult one. Many older adults
Financial Resolutions for the New Year
It’s not too late to make a resolution for 2022. While many people choose to focus on health-related resolutions, January is a great time to reevaluate your finances and gain financial control of the coming year. According to U.S. news, nearly 80% of New Year’s resolutions
Holiday Health Tips for Seniors
The holiday season is in full swing, which means many of us are preparing for celebrations with family, friends, and good food. The holidays present a wonderful opportunity to connect with others, but can also be a source of stress and anxiety. November and December are
Assisted Living vs. Private Duty Care: How to Make the Most of your Money
There comes a time during the aging process where normal daily activities become more difficult and require more assistance. This often requires older adults and their families to make a decision about where they should be living and how to receive the appropriate care. However, many
Importance of Hydration in Older Adults
Staying hydrated is an essential part of healthy aging, especially for those 65 and older. As we age, our risk of becoming dehydrated increases for a number of reasons. Foremost, our ability to conserve water decreases with age making it more difficult to stay properly hydrated.
Preventing Winter Illness in Older Adults
Cold winter temperatures can cause an increased risk of health problems and weather-related injuries for older adults. Hypothermia, frost-bite, influenza and falls in the ice or snow can present major health concerns during the winter months. Because older adults lose body heat faster than compared to
Healthy Eating for Seniors
Eating the right types of food can play an important role in healthy aging. However, proper nutrition can look differently as we age. Some older adults tend to lose muscle mass, making it important to consume higher amounts of protein, while others may find their bodies
Brain Exercises for Older Adults
As we age, our bodies undergo a number of physical changes. Just as our joints and muscles can stiffen up with age, so can our brains. In fact, according to the National Institute of Health, aging causes changes to the brain size, vasculature and cognition. The
Skin Care Tips for Seniors
Sunlight exposure is essential for important bodily functions, such as maintaining circadian rhythm and producing vitamin D, which helps our muscular, skeletal and nervous systems work properly. However, too much sunlight can cause short and long-term skin damage such as sunburn, aging spots, wrinkles and even
What is Hospice Care? And why is it so important?
Hospice care provides physical, psychological, social and spiritual support for those who are in their last stages of a terminal illness. Typically, hospice care is suggested by a healthcare provider when a patient has six months or less to live. Many individuals who are experiencing terminal
Making Cardio a Part of Your Life
As we age, our bodies undergo physical changes that can impact our activity levels and the way we function day-to-day. However, research suggests that physical decline associated with aging is linked to increased inactivity, rather than aging itself. Starting a regular exercise program can help delay
The Many Benefits of Laughter for Older Adults
The use of laughter has been used in the medical space for centuries, but more recently experts have been interested in researching its medical benefits. While laughter can’t cure everything, research suggests that it can strengthen the immune system, boost mood, diminish pain and provide relief
How Much Do You Know About Your Parent’s Health?
With nearly 10,000 baby boomers reaching retirement age every day, the demand for caregivers increases each year. According to a report from Families Caring for An Aging America, at least 17.7 million individuals in the U.S. are caring for an older adult with various health needs.
Noticing Memory Loss in Loved Ones
As we age, it’s very common to notice changes in our physical and cognitive abilities. While these conditions might spark worry and concern about their overall health, they can be normal age-related changes. However, when it comes to memory, it’s important to understand the difference between
Everything You Should Know About Parkinson’s Disease
The month of April marks Parkinson’s Awareness Month and provides a great opportunity to learn more about the disease. According to the National Institute on Aging, Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a brain disorder that leads to shaking, stiffness, difficulty with walking, balance, and coordination. PD is
Using Diet to Boost our Memory
According to the Alzheimer’s Society, “nearly 40% of people over the age of 65 experience some form of memory loss, or age-associated memory impairment, which is considered a part of the normal aging process.” Nearly 5 million people worldwide live with dementia, a general term for