Staying healthy as we get older is essential for maintaining a high quality of life in our golden years. While older adults have certain specific nutrition, wellness and physical requirements that are different from younger individuals, the trick to maintaining overall wellness is actually fairly consistent no matter what age you are, according to Jeanie Tini, Director of Marketing and Sales at The Estates at Carpenters, a Life Plan Community in Lakeland, FL, that offers Lifecare.
“Whole-body wellness requires attention to all dimensions of wellness: physical, emotional, social, vocational, spiritual, intellectual and environmental,” she explains. “Our wellness-focused lifestyle at The Estates at Carpenters make it easy for our residents to stay in control of their health and overall well-being.”
Jeanie says that retirement communities like The Estates have been designed for optimal wellness so that residents can age well and maintain a high quality of life no matter what stage of life they are in. “All of us want to live long, healthy lives, and taking care of overall wellness is the best way to make that happen,” she says. “Besides the outstanding wellness programs we offer, The Estates also provides outstanding amenities, recreational opportunities and services like a maintenance-free lifestyle so our residents can spend their time making their life spectacular … instead of taking care of all the tedious details that get in the way.”
How Can Older Adults Maintain Wellness as They Age?
Maintaining wellness takes some effort, but with practice and focus, it can be easy – even enjoyable. In honor of National Wellness Month, here are the major ways that older adults can take control of their overall health, improve their wellness and age well throughout their golden years.
Get regular exercise.
No matter how old you are, getting regular exercise is essential to living a healthy life. It’s generally recommended that adults get 2.5 hours of moderate physical activity each week, which translates to about 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. However, any exercise is better than none, and you don’t have to hit the gym to do it. Even just walking around your house and doing chores can make a huge difference in your physical abilities, mindset and mood.
At The Estates at Carpenters, Elevage Fitness programs help residents stay in control of their health and overall well-being. The brand-new, modern fitness center features top-of-the-line Precor fitness equipment as well as programs and classes that are designed for the needs of older adults. A full-time personal trainer is also on site for individuals who want more personalized attention.
Eat a healthy diet.
Healthy eating goes hand and hand with getting enough exercise. Older adults require specific nutrients to keep their bodies healthy, which is why it’s important to eat a balanced diet filled with vegetables, fruits, lead proteins and healthy fats. The Estates ensures that every resident enjoys a healthy and delicious diet thanks to our amazing chef, culinary team and full-time nutritionist. Not only are menus tailored to individual tastes, preferences and dietary needs, they’re created with fresh, in-season ingredients and constantly adapting to keep things varied and interesting.
Stay connected to others.
Staying connected to other people is an incredibly important part of overall health and happiness. Older adults are at risk of becoming lonely and isolated as they age, which results in depression, anxiety and cognitive decline. Staying social, however, results in increased happiness, lower stress, better cognitive function and so much more. Part of the reason many older adults choose to move into a community like The Estates is because staying socially active and involved becomes so much easier. Since you’re living in a community filled with like-minded people in the same stage of life, and because there are always events, clubs and opportunities happening, it’s easy to make new friends, nurture existing friendships and remain engaged and energized.
Try something new.
Engage your brain by learning a new language, taking a class, picking up a new hobby or anything else that requires mental concentration. Doing this will keep your brain in shape and decrease your risk of developing cognitive decline or a disease like dementia. When you’re retired and living in a senior living community, it’s a lot easier to do this because you don’t have to deal with tasks and chores (thanks, maintenance-free lifestyle!) and have more time and opportunities to try new things. Another thing you can do is pick up an old hobby or activity that you used to love doing but fell by the wayside due to things in your life. Retirement is your chance to do the things you’ve always wanted to do – so get out there and try whatever piques your interest.
Reduce stress in your life.
Life can be pretty stressful at times. Older adults are particularly susceptible to stress, because as you age, you end up dealing with a lot of life’s huge stressors, like ending a work career, experiencing the loss of a loved one or developing a chronic illness. Stress opens you up to a lot of physical and mental ailments, so it’s incredibly important to reduce stress in your daily life in order to live well. A lot of the things we’ve mentioned previously in this article can greatly help reduce overall stress. Moving into a Life Plan Community like The Estates is a great way to reduce stress, not just for its maintenance-free lifestyle and enjoyable opportunities, but because of the peace of mind it gives older adults and their families. As a Life Plan Community, we have a full continuum of care available on campus, from assisted living to skilled nursing care to memory care to rehabilitation. This means that you’ll always have a home for life – and you’ll always receive the care you need without having to move away from a place you love. That certainly reduces stress and makes life a lot more enjoyable.
Unparalleled Wellness and Fitness Programs at The Estates
Overall wellness is very important to us. As part of our community-wide effort to ensure that our residents are cared for in every sense, we provide access to:
- Fitness center with individual and group exercise sessions and a personal
trainer - Swimming pool with aquatics classes
- Monthly health night with health care speaker from the community including
ophthalmologists, podiatrists and more - Monthly blood pressure checks
- On-site Wellness Clinic open Monday through Friday with licensed nurse
- Wellness fairs
- Lifelong learning with collegiate educational events and Florida Southern
College speakers - Computer classes
- Book club
- Bike club
- Marked walking trails
- On-site Chaplain and worship services
- Full continuum of health care
- And more
About The Estates at Carpenters
The Estates at Carpenters is a Life Plan Community offering worry-free independent living, assisted living and high-quality skilled nursing care and rehabilitation. For over 35 years, The Estates has provided older adults in the area with an active, engaging lifestyle filled with abundant choices and the amenities and services that make life easier. A lifestyle designed to keep older adults healthy and well today – and tomorrow.
For more information on The Estates or to RSVP to an upcoming event, contact Jeanie at 863-279-4503 or visit our website.