Senior Living Blog

When considering retirement choices and moving to a senior living community, many of us think of “an old folk’s home.” It’s common to imagine stereotypical images of the elderly sitting in wheelchairs, bored and lonely. Today, this idea couldn’t be further from the truth. Retirement communities now differ significantly from the kind where our grandparents may have lived. Established independent living communities offer their seniors comfortable, private apartments, delicious meals, medical support as needed, and a ton of opportunities to grow as a person socially, physically, and mentally. 

Each year, we are reminded in May, which has been designated as Mental Health Awareness month, to focus on improving our mental health as a community. While it is true that COVID-19 has adversely affected the emotional state of many Americans, there are many steps you can take to preserve a healthy state of mind and enhance your quality of life. Moving to a continuing care retirement community is the first step in ensuring that you or the senior in your life has the support they need. When you surround yourself with the right people, you know that you are in the right place to keep well, stay active, and be resilient, despite outside factors. 

May was proclaimed Older Americans Month by President Gerald Ford in 1976. Over the decades, ways to celebrate this have evolved, but one theme remains – leaving a legacy for future generations to follow. A legacy should mean more than just contributing a large sum of money to your family or an institution. It’s about being remembered for your actions and the type of person you are. 

As you age, it becomes increasingly important to take care of your body and maintain muscle and joint health through daily exercise to ensure you can continue doing the things you love. Most seniors may not have access to a swimming pool in their home, but at Wesley Enhanced Living Main Line, our heated swimming pool allows our residents to enjoy swimming all year round! They love having the opportunity to take aquatics classes instructed by our knowledgeable, CPR-certified trainers or just relaxing in the pool for a fun afternoon with friends. 

As the ground thaws, we approach spring with warmer weather and longer days, with fresh air and sunshine – all signs of change and renewal. Perhaps spring is Nature’s way of encouraging us to change old habits for new ones, which isn’t always easy!