Categories
33- IL Walk-in Closet
Author: Adele Pepin
Categories
34- IL Bathroom
REFRESH IN YOUR INDEPENDENT LIVING BATHROOM FEATURING ELEVATED FINISHES
Categories
35- IL Bedroom
UNWIND IN YOUR PEACEFUL INDEPENDENT LIVING RETREAT
Categories
32- IL Living Room
LUXURY INDEPENDENT LIVING APARTMENTS ILLUMINATE EVERY DETAIL
Categories
31- IL Kitchen
DESIGNER KITCHENS WITH STUNNING FINISHES IN INDEPENDENT LIVING
Categories
00- Exterior
Modern Design Welcomes You Home
Categories
What to Look for in Senior Living
As you’re working on retirement planning and researching your options for independent living, you’ve probably started to notice that senior living communities are not all cut from the same cloth. From the size and style of apartments to the dining options to the types of programs and services offered, the differences between communities can be vast.
At Waterstone of Westchester, we understand that the wide range of options can sometimes make the process of planning and researching the community that’s right for you seem like an overwhelming task. To help check something off your list, we’ve put together a list of premier features that you may want to look for that can really elevate the senior living experience. If you want the best out of your retirement lifestyle, then be sure to visit a community like Waterstone of Westchester that offers the refined comforts and extra amenities to make life truly inspiring and carefree.
Fine Dining
Dining with ambiance and attention to detail is the pride of many retirement communities. Contrary to the idea of ‘cafeteria food’ offered at regimented times throughout the day, luxury senior living communities like Waterstone of Westchester hire highly trained chefs that create exceptional menus featuring fresh, seasonal favorites. They design their offerings not only with health and nutrition in mind but also a rich dining experience.
As you compare retirement communities, ask questions about the dining options available – and ask to sample a taste of what the residents enjoy every day. At Waterstone of Westchester, our culinary experience will rival the area’s best restaurants.
A Variety of Health and Wellness Programs
Among the services and amenities that you might look for in an independent living community are those that can support your health goals and commitment to wellness. As we age, our health needs may change, and it’s important to look for new, fresh ways to exercise our bodies and our minds.
At Waterstone of Westchester, you will have variety. Work out or relax in the heated indoor pool. Utilize our fully equipped fitness center to meet your personal goals with our experienced trainers. Attend a group fitness class with new friends. Lower your stress with a relaxing yoga session in the mind-body studio. Regardless of your current ability levels, the personal trainers at Waterstone will work with you toward success.
Outdoor Amenities
Perhaps overlooked features of premier senior living communities are the amenities that encourage spending time outdoors. Studies have linked outdoor recreation to decreased anxiety and depression. There are also benefits to physical health, like increased vitamin D intake.
At Waterstone of Westchester, fresh air can come in the form of a walk on local hiking paths, dining outdoors, sharing stories around the fire pit or having a quiet moment to yourself on the outdoor terrace.
Stimulating Programs and Activities
Retirement communities have often been compared to college campuses for seniors. One reason this is an apt comparison is because of the multitude of recreational and educational options available to you as a resident. Modern senior living offers you opportunities to discover new interests, continue pursuing passions, participate in cultural activities, and even go on trips to area attractions.
Your retirement should be what you want it to be and allow you to thrive while engaging in stimulating activities focused on your personal growth, happiness and fulfillment.
Community-Centered Events
Along with a diversity of activities, senior living communities like Waterstone of Westchester also provide opportunities to make meaningful connections with other residents. Having your social and emotional needs met is integral to your overall health. When you visit a community, ask about their programming and regularly scheduled cultural and recreational activities.
At Waterstone of Westchester, you will find that great care will be taken to provide residents with opportunities to connect with one another over meaningful topics, lively events or interesting experiences. We all find meaning in our relationships, so whether you are introverted or extroverted, these offerings will be important. At your leisure, you’ll be able to partake in the events that interest you most.
Concierge Services
Often, one of the motivating reasons that older adults transition into an independent living community is because they are tired of keeping up with the maintenance of their homes.
At senior living communities like Waterstone of Westchester, you will benefit not only from weekly housekeeping and apartment maintenance, but you will no longer need to worry about raking leaves or shoveling snow. Plus, our dedicated concierge services and black car transportation add an extra layer of convenience.
Bright and Inviting Spaces
Sometimes we underestimate the importance of architecture and design. Spaces where we feel comfortable or that enhance our experiences add quality to our lives. Before making any decisions about where to spend your retirement, make sure you visit the community and check out the living accommodations and community spaces firsthand.
The spacious floor plans and unique details of the apartments at Waterstone of Westchester were designed for luxury, style and the ultimate in convenience. Each apartment features abundant natural light, a designer kitchen, open spaces and exceptional finishes. They offer the perfect retreat from your active, on-the-go retirement lifestyle.
Come Home to Waterstone of Westchester
Among your choices for the ultimate senior living experience is the curated elegance you’ll find at Waterstone of Westchester in White Plains, NY. To see what awaits you, contact our Senior Advisor and schedule your personal visit today.
Sometimes, the prospect of a move to senior living can give you ‘option paralysis’ – in other words, there’s so many choices that it’s too difficult to determine what is best for your specific circumstances.
Finding the right assisted living community requires time, effort and patience. In your search for a place to call home for yourself or a loved one, it’s important to focus your attention on a handful of key factors. These boil down to services, location, size, cost and overall culture.
Here are the five areas to explore when choosing the right assisted living community for your loved one.
The 5 Factors to Consider When Looking for an Assisted Living Community
Before transitioning to an assisted living community, you have to be sure it’s a good fit for yourself or a loved one.
It’s estimated that by 2023, 60% of senior living communities will offer wellness lifestyles, according to data from the International Council on Active Aging. This is a clear sign of an upward trend in senior living, where a holistic approach is favored. Waterstone at Wellesley is ahead of the curve, offering an enriching lifestyle that emphasizes all aspects of wellness – body, mind and spirit.
Realistically, any community that places emphasis on quality of life, compassion and personal care will likely offer the services you need. With this philosophy in mind, it’s important that you look for a community that meets your individual needs and preferences in each of the following five areas.
- Services Offered
Explore the services offered by the community. Come to your research process prepared by knowing the level of care you or your loved one may need. For example, if your loved one will require medication management, double-check that the service is provided. If you have special dietary requirements, ask if the dining service team will be able to accommodate them. - Location of the Community
Do you want a place near where you live, near where your loved one currently lives, or something in between? The answer to this question will be personal. Maybe there are other reasons you’re going for a specific location.If possible, it’s a good idea to travel to the community with a family member to see it for yourself. Though it may add more work to the search process for the ideal assisted living community, visiting a community and seeing all that it has to offer will tell you more than anything on the internet ever could. - Size and Style of the Community
Senior care is a community endeavor, as much about building intentional neighborhoods as it is living a lifestyle focused on wellness. Be sure that the community is the right size – and style – for you. Does the community feel right to you and offer the amenities you’re looking for to promote an active, healthy lifestyle? Does it offer the atmosphere that you are accustomed to and that makes you or your loved one feel at home? - Cost of Living
Depending on the community, older adults will have a variety of ways to pay for assisted living services. Go over care and housing options with the community’s Senior Advisor and/or your own personal financial advisor before coming to a decision. Look at the type of community in question, the spectrum of care and contract type. Consider everything that is included at each community you visit to be sure you’re comparing “apples to apples.” - Community Culture
Arguably the most important aspect of any community is its culture. For assisted living residents, community culture can be elements big or small. When you visit, get a feel for the environment and people. Watch how residents interact with team members. Check out the lifestyle and how engaging the programs are. Does the community’s overall feel and culture align with what you envisioned for your or your loved one’s new home?
Ensure the community offers everything needed to encourage the lifestyle you desire. Maybe your loved one likes the theater or spending a quiet afternoon in the library. Perhaps they enjoy a little personal training or a tai chi session. How about a game night or art class? Look for a place that will help you or your loved one feel comfortable and at home – and possibly help you step slightly out of your comfort zone to experience new, exciting things.
Waterstone at Wellesley: Now This Is Home.
Waterstone at Wellesley offers premier independent living and supportive assisted living options in the heart of Wellesley in beautiful Massachusetts. Contact us to schedule a personal visit and explore our dynamic senior living community.
As an older adult, whether you worry about the possible onset of dementia or have noticed a decline in your memory or recall, it is likely that you have thought about ways to keep your mind sharp as you age. Continue reading to learn five concrete ways you can stimulate your brain and ward off cognitive decline.
Engage in Stimulating Activities
There are many pastimes that older adults can take up that can increase intellectual acumen. With relative ease, you can do any of the following:
- Challenge your cognitive skills with brain games like Lumosity or brainHQ.
- Visit your community library and check out books on new and nuanced subjects.
- Work on the crossword puzzle in your local or national newspaper.
- Journal about your day or anything else that grabs your attention.
- Listen to podcasts about material or news that interest you.
Expose Yourself to New Learning
While learning a new language is a well-established way of improving neuroplasticity, stretching yourself to learn anything new can be good for your brain. Think of it this way: If you are challenging your brain to solve problems it has never solved before, you are traversing new terrain and creating new pathways in your brain.
When Waterstone of Lexington opens this fall, you’ll find unique programming that can be tailored to your needs and interests, including craft workshops, lecture series, fitness classes, and so much more. A full calendar of events and social opportunities will provide you with mentally stimulating opportunities for personal growth.
Enjoy Ample Time Outdoors
Almost everyone can attest to the relief and uplift that can come from time spent outdoors. Whether it is a hike through the woods or a quiet evening on your patio, there is scientific evidence that demonstrates that this is time well spent. In fact, it can improve one’s mood and brain structure, which in turn can positively affect memory and concentration.
Future residents will be able to stimulate these mental processes by utilizing our walking paths, dining in our outdoor venue, or practicing your golf skills at our putting green at Waterstone of Lexington. Consider taking up outdoor hobbies like bird watching, fishing or plein air painting. Take an outdoor yoga class or reacquaint yourself with your bike. This outdoor activity could be beneficial to both your body and your brain.
Foster Community and Connection
Intellectual wellness is closely associated with mental health, and sustaining healthy connections with old family and friends and new community members can assist with both. Traditional care plans may not explicitly address this need, but senior living communities across the nation offer an abundance of possible ways to maintain and create relationships.
Interactions don’t have to be complicated. The mere act of holding a conversation can keep your brain alert, attentive, and engaged. You can join a book club, establish recurring coffee dates or dinner parties or volunteer your time to a particular community. And if you are a resident of Waterstone of Lexington, you can attend the regularly scheduled social and cultural events that we host.
Increase Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Your Diet
When it comes to your intellectual health, everything matters, including your diet. Doctors and professional caregivers recommend that older adults boost their intake of omega-3 fats to support brain health.
Many seniors take a fish oil supplement to receive the recommended dosage, but some studies suggest that your body absorbs the nutrients better when you instead include fish in your diet. Fish like barramundi, salmon, trout or sardines are great sources of omega-3 fatty acids that can contribute to your cognitive health.
We Care at Waterstone of Lexington
Wellness has dimensions, and we care about every facet of your health here at Waterstone of Lexington. Let us help you create a plan to maintain your mental and intellectual health while taking advantage of the programming and possibilities we will offer each day when we open in the fall of 2022. Contact us at 781.728.3037 to schedule your personal visit to our Welcome Center.
According to a survey by the International Council on Active Aging, senior living industry leaders are embracing a new model that emphasizes wellness. While older approaches are care-based with options for wellness, these new methods are wellness-based opportunities in daily life with options for care.
Out of all respondents to the survey, 72% rated wellness/lifestyle as high priority, and 64% of participants classified wellness across all dimensions as a ‘must-have.’ A focus on the seven dimensions of wellness – physical, spiritual, emotional, vocational, environmental, social and intellectual – represents a paradigm shift.
Waterstone at the Circle, along with other leading senior living communities across the country, are proud to take a multifaceted approach to create a culture of wellness for residents through its programs, amenities and services.
Utilizing Technological Advances for Health
Today’s senior living communities are challenging the notion that older adults are not open to technological advances. In fact, older adults are just as enthusiastic about how technology can streamline and enhance their lifestyle as the next person!
Technology like smartwatches or specialized phone apps can help monitor and track vitals, such as oxygen levels, heart rate or rhythm, sleep, nutrition, glucose and even stress levels. This real-time information not only can be shared with doctors but can also help seniors make daily lifestyle changes every day to improve their overall health. Senior living communities like Waterstone at the Circle are also encouraging the use of telehealth services to provide convenient care to their residents.
Focusing on Healthy Living
While senior living traditionally makes a fitness center available to residents to improve health outcomes and overall well-being, it is increasingly popular to offer additional amenities and programs to promote wellness in body, mind and spirit. Waterstone at the Circle offers a modern fitness center with senior-friendly exercise equipment and a heated indoor pool, as well as a full-service salon. To promote cognitive wellness, Waterstone hosts a variety of guest lectures and cultural programs for lifelong learning.
Professional trainers help Waterstone at the Circle residents create personalized fitness plans based on their current ability levels and fitness goals. Private workout sessions and group exercise classes, including MovementX, Hydro Fit and Rise Up, are led by certified fitness and aquatic instructors.
Utilizing Design To Promote Mental Health
There really is something about a well-designed room, a clean space, and a well-lit home that is uplifting. Research supports this anecdotal evidence: Homes impact our emotional state.
Senior living communities, therefore, are on the right track when they prioritize the aesthetics of senior housing, allow for choice when setting up personal spaces, and offer maintenance services to help older adults with upkeep. Waterstone at the Circle puts all of this at the forefront with their bright, stylish apartment living. Apartments offer premier finishes and fine details that welcome residents home to style and convenience – complete with stunning views of the Boston skyline or Chestnut Hill Reservoir.
Recognizing the Importance of Dining
Perhaps the enjoyment of quality food with a variety of choices is not among the first variables you list when you consider wellness. We tend to think about nutrition first. But the overall dining experience represents a much more dynamic influence on our health and wellness.
Senior living communities, more and more, are recognizing the benefit of offering resident-centered meal service. At Waterstone at the Circle, this takes the form of multiple dining options with diverse menus featuring seasonal, freshly prepared meals – at flexible mealtimes. Perhaps even more importantly, the dining room environment offers the ideal opportunity for connection to help enhance social and emotional wellness.
Expanding the Possibility of New Experiences
A key to living a life well, for many, is to be offered a lifestyle with options. Especially for older adults who have lived a rich life full of possibilities, the transition into a senior living community should present them with choices to grow, learn and discover new things.
Across the county, you might notice events and activities at retirement communities that facilitate the acquisition of new skills or unlock the freedom to experiment with new forms of self-expression. Maybe there are excursions into the larger community, community service projects or trips planned with brand-new sites to explore, or maybe experts are brought in as guest speakers.
At Waterstone at the Circle, a dedicated life enrichment team explores new, creative ways to engage residents in programs, culture, education and events that spark their interest and improve their health. Each day is an opportunity to make life tailored just the way you like it.
Finding Your Best Life at Waterstone at the Circle
All these offerings represent this new movement to emphasize the less obvious aspects of wellness and the impact they have on one another. Promoting an experience that encourages purpose and connection can ultimately lead to improved physical health – and offer a higher quality of life.
At Waterstone at the Circle, you will feel our dedication to whole-person wellness. Contact us at 617.431.1880 to learn how a move to The Circle can help you reach your health and wellness goals in retirement.