Top 3 Ways to Reduce the Risk of Injury as You Age

 

The number one thing seniors want? To keep their independence. They have lived their whole life by relying on their mind and their body, and they don’t want to stop anytime soon. And they shouldn’t have to – especially if they are taking the right precautions as they grow older. The best way for seniors to keep their independence is to avoid injuries that can compromise their physicality.

In this article, we will discuss different ways seniors can reduce the risk of injury as they age, compiled by our physical therapy team in Gloucester County.

#1. Prevent falls. Falls pose a serious health risk for seniors. They can result in trips to the emergency room, surgeries, and long recoveries – all requiring dependent support. One way to prevent falling is to help strengthen and support the body through physical therapy. With physical therapy, seniors can improve balance, gain a wider range of motion, and develop quicker reactions to unexpected obstacles. Older adults can also reduce the risk of falling by staying active through a consistent fitness routine. Perhaps the easiest and most immediate action seniors can take to prevent falls is to remove hazards and take safety precautions within their living space. Some examples include installing nightlights, putting clothes and belongings away, wearing supportive shoes, and making sure carpets are properly secured to the floor.

#2. Prioritize fitness. Briefly mentioned above, daily exercise is key for seniors to remain mobile, independent and healthy. It’s important to start off slow, however, if fitness is a whole new ballgame. Great starter workouts for older adults include taking a daily walk or starting a low-impact chair yoga class. It’s important to note that a new fitness routine needs to be carefully managed to prevent injuries or over-straining of the muscles. A physical therapist can help older adults develop an exercise plan that addresses all health conditions or concerns to ensure their physical needs are properly managed.

#3. Double-check medications. As we age, our roster of medications can increase. Keeping track of doses and schedules can quickly become confusing and even dangerous if you don’t have a proper organizational method in place. Taking the wrong medications together or ingesting the wrong dosage could result in harmful side effects that could impair balance and increase the risk of falls or other injuries. With that being said, seniors should look into organizing their medications with a clearly labeled pill box and setting reminders to take each one via a smartphone app like PillBoxie.

Physical therapy at our senior community in Pitman, NJ

Many seniors underestimate what physical therapy can achieve, especially when it comes to reducing the risk of developing mobility issues that could potentially threaten their independence. Sometimes it just takes more than going on a daily walk or properly managing medications to solve root issues related to coordination, balance, and core strength. That’s where physical therapy comes in.

At UMC at Pitman, our physical therapists, part of our short-term rehab program, believe in strengthening and restoring each resident’s mobility to the fullest extent. If you or a loved one has already suffered from a fall or injury, our team can develop individualized recovery programs made up of therapy, medical treatments, and dietary requirements to assist in the smoothest recovery possible. They can even take into account the social amenities each resident can take part in while staying at our active assisted living community in Gloucester County, New Jersey.

For more information about senior physical therapy at UMC at Pitman, please contact us today or visit our website at: https://umcommunities.org/pitman/

This blog was originally published at https://umcommunities.org/pitman/blog/top-3-ways-to-reduce-the-risk-of-injury-as-you-age/

How to Make and Keep Friends as a Senior

 

It’s tough to be the new “kid” on the block, but making friends can be just like riding a bike – if you have the right tools. What your loved one may be missing in their toolbox is opportunity. Do they have access to activities that will help them meet people with similar life experiences? And are these activities easy for them to take part in? If your loved one is new to senior living and is looking to meet new people, here are some refreshers to share with them, so they can make and keep friendships more easily.

Participate in Group Activities. At most thriving senior communities, there are a ton of group activities that residents can do on a weekly (or even daily) basis. At UMC at Pitman, some of our crowd favorites include group meditation, morning yoga, art classes, and themed days like “Root Beer Float Day” and “Pajama Day.” Even if the group activity isn’t your loved one’s cup of tea, encourage them to go anyways. For one, they could laugh with another resident over their mutual dislike of the activity, or they might be surprised at how much they actually like it after giving it a fair shot. Either way, reiterate to your loved one that the opportunity to meet new people in the community is more important than the actual group activity itself.

Join a Club. Once your loved one finds a hobby offered at the community that they enjoy, tell them to join a club. For example, if mom loves to garden, have her join the gardening club. If dad enjoys playing poker, but there is no poker club available at their assisted living community, ask an activities director on site if they can set one up. Since activity directors cultivate great relationships with each resident, they should be able to gather a group of like-minded individuals to join the club more easily.

Make Mealtimes More Social. Food has a way of bringing people together. It’s one of the best ways to bond and connect with someone new – that’s why most first dates take place at a restaurant or coffee shop. Luckily, most senior living communities, like UMC at Pitman, have a spacious shared dining area right on-site where residents can eat together. Next time you talk to your senior parent and see they’re about ready to have lunch, encourage them to share a meal with another resident in the community dining room.

Accompany Them. If your loved one is the shy type, go with them to their next group activity or event. Having you there with them will give them more confidence to talk to new people. You can also break the ice between them and a resident who you think they may have a lot in common with.

Have Patience. Remind mom or dad that it takes time to make friends, and it may take just a little bit longer to make a good friend. While they are still adjusting to their new life in a senior community, it’s important that they don’t put too much pressure on themselves to fit in. There is plenty of time to get involved with group activities, dine with residents and just to stop and have a small chat with someone they pass by in the hallway. Before they know it, those small pleasantries will turn into longer and more meaningful talks with people they truly consider friends.

Socializing at UMC at Pitman

UMC at Pitman, our assisted living community in Gloucester County, provides many opportunities for seniors to make new friends and socialize while receiving the support they need. Our caring associates are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide support with daily tasks, including getting dressed for the day, cleaning up the apartment, and managing medications for your loved one. They could also recommend the best spots on-site to meet new people, as well as fun activities to participate in!

For more information on our assisted living services and senior events in Pitman, NJ, please give us a call or visit our website at: https://umcommunities.org/pitman/

This blog was originally published https://umcommunities.org/pitman/blog/how-to-make-and-keep-friends-as-a-senior/

The Culture of Senior Living at Pitman

When looking for senior living for yourself or a loved one, you’re going to find a wide selection of options for every budget and need. UMC at Pitman, a full-service assisted living community in Gloucester County, offers a wide range of options allowing residents to stay independent, active, and age in a place where they can socialize and live safely. We ensure that all the hassle of owning a home is taken care of by us – here’s how…

Next Level Retirement Living at UMC at Pitman

When making the move to UMC at Pitman, you can choose between multiple floor plans to best fit your needs. Whether it is just you or you and your loved one, you will be able to find a space that feels like home. There is even a unit available with a kitchenette, living space, and private bedroom. All living options are designed to feel just like home, you can personalize your own private space as you wish. 

You’ll no longer have to worry about keeping up with all the tasks that come with home ownership, like cleaning the gutters, mowing the lawn, shoveling the driveway, etc. Rest assured, the perks of senior living at Pitman don’t stop on the outside. Not only do you not have to worry about keeping up with housecleaning, but all meals are provided, and you can count on them being both delicious and nutritious! You can eat in your room, or in our dining room with your new friends, or even take a ride to town and have a delicious informal vegan lunch at the Gentle Giant Cafe or a home cooked Italian dinner at Manino’s Cucina Italiana!

Social Opportunities for Senior Abound at UMC at Pitman

At UMC at Pitman, you get to enjoy a busy schedule with lots of options provided for you to choose from. Some of these activities include exercise classes, bible study, continued education, arts and crafts classes, musical events, movies, and resident-run clubs like the much-loved book club. UMC at Pitman is within walking distance of downtown Pitman, so there are also plenty of trips to local stores and restaurants. 

It’s a Free Senior Lifestyle, with Support When You Need It.

At UMC at Pitman, we believe in freedom and independence – that’s why we offer you the choice of how much or how little support you need from us. If you’re just tired of dealing with maintenance and upkeep in your home, a move to UMC at Pitman will ensure you don’t ever have to worry about that again. If you need a little more support, like managing medicines or help bathing, we can provide that as well. The beautiful thing is you only pay for the level of support you need, and as your needs change you will always have the option to have extra support.

If you’re looking to keep your independent lifestyle but would also like to say goodbye to some of those tiring responsibilities, UMC at Pitman could be the perfect place for you. Spend your retirement years doing the things you love, living right next to your best friends, enjoying the company of like-minded people while you eat, or attending activities together.

UMC at Pitman is a breath of fresh air to seniors and their families. Call us today to take a tour and find out more. Visit https://pitman.umcommunities.org/

Original content posted on https://pitman.umcommunities.org/2022/05/06/the-culture-of-senior-living-at-pitman/

Essential Winter Health Tips for Older Adults

Staying healthy during the winter can be a challenge for anyone, but it’s often especially difficult for older adults with compromised immune systems or limited mobility. Fortunately, there are easy ways to stay on track and be more proactive about our health through these icy months. The caregivers at our assisted living community in Gloucester County have put together a list of essential winter health and safety tips for seniors to follow until warm spring weather rolls around!

Eat healthily. It may be more difficult to get outside and exercise, but that doesn’t mean our diets should suffer too. If you or a loved one is struggling, try to choose frozen vegetables over canned and eat plenty of winter fruits and vegetables like cranberries, citrus, and pomegranates. Try to also include fish, poultry, and eggs as well for healthy, lean protein on a daily basis.

Take vitamins. Vitamins are best absorbed through the diet, but it can be challenging to get the right amounts through the winter to keep our immune systems healthy. People tend to be more deficient in vitamin D in the colder weather, due to lack of sun exposure caused by staying indoors more often. With that being said, vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc, and fish oils are all good supplements to have on hand if you or a loved one are not receiving enough through your diet and daily habits.

Take precautions exercising outdoors. If you are an older adult who is relatively fit and your healthcare provider gives the go-ahead, there’s no reason why you can’t continue exercising outdoors – just remember to take smart precautions. Wear the proper footwear to prevent slips and falls, follow the weather forecast, layer warm clothing, and don’t forget your sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses for UV rays and wind protection.

Stay in touch. Over the winter months, it can be easy to withdraw and become isolated, as it is difficult to get out and socialize with other people in poor weather. This can lead to loneliness and even depression, a condition to be taken seriously for the senior population in particular. Watch out for these symptoms in your loved ones and in your community, and remember that help is just a phone call away. You can also arrange a daily check-in system with family and friends in the neighborhood.

Stay warm and safe. It’s important to have a professional regularly service all heating systems in the home to ensure that they are in safe working order. Keep heaters away from curtains and other fire hazards, and make sure that there are working carbon monoxide and smoke detectors installed on each floor.

Professional assisted living services in Gloucester County, NJ

UMC at Pitman is part of United Methodist Communities, a network of assisted living communities specializing in high-quality care and support for seniors. Our community in Gloucester County, NJ, is known for its beautiful setting, spacious residential apartments, and wide range of services available all year round for residents. With qualified and experienced medical professionals and caregivers on hand to provide expert assistance around the clock, residents enjoy all the benefits of living independently. Our aim is to encourage residents to “age in place,” through the comfort of familiar surroundings and their private apartment homes – even as their care needs change.

For more information about our assisted living services at UMC at Pitman in Gloucester County, please contact us today or visit our website at: https://pitman.umcommunities.org/

Original blog posted on https://pitman.umcommunities.org/2022/02/07/essential-winter-health-tips-for-older-adults/