Month: June 2020

Activity levels are important at every stage of our lives, even after a move into senior living. Whether you’re in assisted living or independent living, there are ways for you to stay active and keep fit. Of course, differences in mobility and ability levels will have an impact on what kind of exercise you can do. Read on for more information about exercising in a senior living community.

The importance of keeping fit in senior living

Staying active in our senior years is beneficial for our mental and psychological wellbeing as well as our physical health. Exercising helps to fight off symptoms of depression and anxiety, which can become more prominent as we age. Exercising with others can also be a social activity, helping to fight loneliness among seniors. Plus, exercise can lead to improved cognition and mental capacity. This can help to prevent dementia or improve symptoms in residents with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

Physically, staying active basically makes sure that you can keep staying active. Exercise helps to strengthen your bones, making serious injuries and fractures less likely. Working on your core strength also improves balance, which helps to prevent trips and falls. Keeping fit helps you maintain your mobility so that you can keep moving and retain as much of your independence as possible.

How to keep fit in senior living

There are lots of ways to stay active and keep fit in a senior living community. Simply going for walks around the complex is a good form of exercise, and there’s the added benefit of enjoying the fresh air and being in a nice outdoor environment. You can join friends or other residents on walks to make it a social activity, too.

Most independent living communities will also have various classes to take part in and sports or fitness facilities that you can use. Check out what your community has to offer and pick something that suits you. Sign up for an aerobics or dance class, even if it’s something you’ve never tried before. Sporting facilities might include a golf course, a swimming pool, a croquet lawn, a tennis court, and more.

Some seniors might be looking for ways to stay active inside their apartments, particularly if they have low mobility. There are lots of low impact exercises you can try at home, and that you can adjust to your ability and mobility levels. Purchasing a light set of weights opens up lots of different exercises, or you can even use a tin of beans or a bottle of water.

Here at Bermuda Village, we’ve got lots of opportunities for you to stay active, from an Olympic swimming pool to our 36-hole championship golf course within the Bermuda Run Country Club. If you’re looking for an independent living community where you can continue an active and independent lifestyle, then get in touch with Bermuda Village today.

Technology is an ever-changing space, and people from all walks of life can benefit from the usefulness of technology in day-to-day life. This includes seniors and their carers. As technology advances, it opens up more and more ways to improve senior care. Technology not only helps carers look after seniors better, but it can also help seniors retain their independence for longer.

Here are some of the important ways technology plays an evolving role in senior care…

Location services for Alzheimer’s patients

One of the most dangerous habits of Alzheimer’s and dementia patients is their tendency to wander. Without any clear purpose or direction, they may leave their home and simply start walking. This can be a great risk as they may wander out into a busy street or get lost and disoriented somewhere. With a location device on that person, such as a smartphone or wearable tech, their carer can be alerted if they leave the building or a designated area. The carer can use their location to find the patient in case they get lost, greatly reducing the risk of an accident or injury.

Medical alert bracelets and systems

Medical alert systems are ideal for seniors who live alone or only have part-time carers. And this is great for seniors’ independence. Rather than having someone around to watch them at all times, a medical alert system can ensure that a senior gets the help and attention they need if they fall or face another emergency. The senior can trigger the alert themselves, or some systems may trigger automatically in response to certain events or behaviors. For example, a medical alert bracelet may be able to monitor heart rate and alert an emergency contact or the emergency services in response to irregularities in the person’s heart rate.

Medication management

Seniors may have to take various medications at different times of the day. This can be difficult to keep track of, especially if they have memory problems or Alzheimer’s. Technology can help seniors and their carers make sure that they’re taking the right medication at the right dose and at the right time. Pill boxes are available with alarms to alert seniors of when to take certain medications. Certain smart pill bottles can even record data and send it to carers or doctors to make sure the senior isn’t misusing their prescriptions.

Health tracking technology

Carers and other health professionals can use technology to track certain health measures of their patients without intrusive and regular testing. Smart devices can track things like heart rate, blood pressure, and activity levels, sending this data to doctors, nurses, and carers so they can monitor patients’ health and tailor their care to their needs.

Technology can help seniors maintain their independence, whether they’re living at home or in independent living. Find out about the independent and assisted living facilities at Bermuda Village by contacting us today.