There are plenty of benefits to becoming an active older adult, such as: 

• wisdom acquired from life experience and sharing that with others
• time to explore new interests
• opportunity for leisure travel and entertainment
• quality time with friends and family
• feeling more accepting of who you are

Yet, these positive aspects of older adulthood rarely get the attention they deserve. To address this, as a nation, we observe Healthy Aging Month every September. 

Never Too Late…

The theme for Healthy Aging Month 2025 is “Never Too Late to Reinvent Yourself.” Read on for “fun and fabulous” tips to help you reset your outlook on growing older and renew your commitment to your physical, emotional, and social wellbeing. 

1. Keep a “What’s Next” Journal. 
This journal is a way to give thoughtful consideration to what comes next for you in older adulthood. There’s no right or wrong way to approach figuring out “what’s next” for you. Imagine, envision, and reflect on what can add meaning to this new phase of your life. Consider starting with wish lists; pictures of things, places, or experiences that resonate with you; make sketches or collages; or simply answer “what if…” for yourself. You might also find it helpful to work with a certified coach who specializes in adult life transitions.

2. Connect with Purpose. 
With the time that most older adults have available to them, why not put yours to good use by volunteering as a way to connect with others with purpose. Whether it’s an after-school program, animal rescue, food pantry, library, or other mission-driven organization of interest to you, the wisdom and experience you bring as an older adult is highly valued. Plus, volunteering has many health benefits for you, too!

3. Cook a New Healthy Recipe Every Week.
Be it an appetizer, entrée, side dish, or dessert, learning to cook keeps your reading and math skills sharp. The added bonus of cooking with or for others helps maintain social connections. When you stick with healthy dishes, you’re supporting your physical health. To mix-in more learning fun, consider cooking cultural foods and take the time to learn the history and significance of foods from around the globe. Don’t want to go it alone? Join a local cooking club or take lessons through your local community college or senior living program.

4. Cultivate Incidental Connections.
If you haven’t found new friends through volunteering or cooking adventures, then try cultivating new connections through “incidental connections.” These are the casual connections you encounter daily but tend to breeze by. For example, if you make a daily stop to the local bagel shop in the morning, strike up a casual conversation with your server or the barista who prepares your coffee. Do you cross paths with the same neighbor on your evening walk—strike up a chat and maybe plan to walk together another night. These micro-connections can help reduce loneliness and lift your spirits. There are dozens of incidental connections throughout your day—pick one and cultivate it!

5. Go on Microadventures!
You don’t need to travel far to have fun or add adventure to your life. Take some time to rediscover your local area through museums, gardens, and nature trails. Your local library, senior center, or concierge at Everbrook Senior Living can point you in the right direction. Bonus! Adding laughter, play and adventure to your day helps support emotional  wellbeing, and physical stamina, and brain health.

Live a Fabulous Life at Everbrook Senior Living

The Everbrook Senior Living communities provide abundant opportunities and programs to support healthy aging. Our Wellness 4 Later Life program keeps residents active, curious, and inspired. You find resources that support a holistic approach to physical, social, emotional, financial, and spiritual wellbeing. From personalized fitness programs to hobby and social clubs, and travel opportunities you’ll have abundant choices for living, learning, playing, and laughing throughout the Golden Years. 

We invite you to come see for yourself all that Everbrook Senior Living has to offer. Call today to schedule a tour.    

And don’t forget to look for more events at an Everbrook communtiy near you.

Wellness for older adults goes beyond physical health and prevention of illness. This month, we focus on the habits that support you in feeling your best. During the Golden Years the key elements of wellness include: 

• Emotional Fulfillment and Social Connection
• Mental Stimulation 
• Physical Movement

Let’s take a closer look at each of these; then, check-out our tips to help you create a wellness routine in older adulthood.

• Emotional Fulfillment and Social Connection

Having opportunities to connect socially is directly related to feeling emotionally fulfilled. These two areas of wellness intersect, and both are vital to older adult well-being. You don’t need to be a socially butterfly, but you do need to have outlets to connect with others as these engagements help combat loneliness, depression, anxiety, and support overall healthy aging. 

How an older adult defines emotional fulfillment, and the extent of their social connections will vary for each person. At Everbrook Senior Living, we offer programs that support older adults as they explore activities and engagements that creates a sense of purpose and brings more meaning to their lives.

• Mental Stimulation 

An active mind promotes brain health and protects against cognitive decline. This means your better able to focus, concentrate, recall information, and engage in problem-solving. Now, you don’t have to solve calculus problems as a hobby to keep an active mind! Daily mental stimulation through games, puzzles, art and music, travel, book clubs, volunteering, or nurturing an existing or new hobby are all great ways to support brain health.

• Physical Movement

Keeping physically active as an older adult is essential for your mobility, balance and coordination, muscle strength and stamina, heart health, and brain health, too! Whether you walk, swim, practice yoga, hike or garden, movement on a daily basis protects against diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Exercise routines tailored to older adults helps older adults maintain their independent longer, too. 

Never too Late for Wellness in Older Adulthood 

Transitioning from the busy, working adult years into active older adulthood brings about many changes. If you’ve had the benefit of planning ahead for your emotional, mental, and physical wellbeing in older adulthood—good for you! If you haven’t—or if you’re struggling now to find balance in these essential areas of wellness, it’s not too late to get started.

Here are three easy ways to begin:

1. Prioritize Self-Care. Self-care means putting first the things that matter most to sustain your health and vitality. This includes healthy nourishment, sufficient sleep, adequate water intake, taking medicines as prescribed, tending to preventive health screenings, drinking in moderation, avoiding nicotine, caffeine and processed foods, and making time for family and friends. If you’re struggling to prioritize self-care, consider talking to a health coach who specializes in older adult wellness.
2. Manage Stress. Yes, managing stress is a part of self-care, but it’s so important to mental and physical health (at every age) that it gets special attention. For older adults, chronic stress can make existing health conditions worse and trigger new health problems. Stress is linked to illnesses such as autoimmune conditions, heart disease, cancer, dementia, and anxiety and depression. One of the best and simplest ways to manage stress is to spend time in nature. Also consider yoga, mindfulness meditation, and learning deep breathing techniques.
3. Create a Daily Routine. You might need to look at your daily routine to identify where you are wasting energy and time on things that don’t matter and don’t support health. Routines create stability, reduce stress, and even promote happiness. Change is not always easy, but it doesn’t have to be hard. Start small and stay consistent. Consider telling one close friend or family member what you’re wanting to accomplish and ask them to be your accountability partner. You’ll have a greater likelihood of success with social support! 

The communities at Everbrook Senior Living provide every resident with opportunities to participate in physical activities, social engagements, creative outlets, and much more. Our dedicated and compassionate staff will support you in establishing routines that mesh with your unique needs, interests, and goals—in all the key areas of older adult wellness. If you’re curious about what life could have in store for you in the Golden Years... come visit Everbook Senior Living and discover the possibilities for a healthy, active and vibrant life – the life you deserve.

Life is Good for Active Older Adults Residing at Award Winning Everbrook 

An award-winning senior living lifestyle awaits you and summer is the time to experience all that the Everbrook communities offer current and prospective residents. 

Let’s start with the accolades… All five of the established Everbrook communities received the 2025 Best of Senior Living award! Recipients of this award stand out for the exceptional care and support provided to older adults in independent living, assisted living, memory care, and in-home care. The Best of Senior Living Award winners represent the top 1-2% of senior care providers nationwide based on reviews from those who matter most: residents and families. Each of the Everbrook Communities are nestled within quaint New England communities that are a “puddle-jump” from the attractions of bigger cities and towns. 

If you’re already residing with us, or if are considering an Everbrook community properties for yourself or a loved one, this article will introduce you to some of the many wonderful summer activities accessible from each of our established communities. Please also visit the community webpage to learn more about the location, surrounding towns and the lifestyle amenities of each.

What’s happening near the Everbrook communities in CT, MA & NH this summer?

Colebrook Village located in Hebron, CT is surrounded by foliage-line, quiet streets, minutes from the central town corridor and Gay City State Park for outdoor activities. Events kick-off in March with Maple Fest and continue through Summer and Fall with Hebron Day, summer concerts, July 4th fireworks, and many other family-friendly events.

Elmbrook Village at Bozrah/Norwich, CT is rich in Colonial-era history, making it perfect for the history buff. Sheltered from the business of city life in nearby Greenwich, CT or Providence, RI, this quiet town is perfect for hiking at Maples Farm Park or fly-fishing along the Yantic River. If the outdoors aren’t for you, enjoy a relaxing retreat at the Norwich Inn and Spa. If you’re a connoisseur of beer, or wine —then the Norwich Beer Festival or Norwich Wine Week are not to be missed. Music, arts, and the usual summer fun for kids of all ages are within reach of Elmbrook Village.

Stonebrook Village at Windsor Locks, CT is embraced by scenic roads and waterways, including Enfield Falls, a large waterfall along the Connecticut River. Trails for walking/jogging, biking and hiking weave through the local area with many scenic spots along the Windsor Locks State Canal. Six Flags New England and the Air Museum are a short drive. June brings “Brewfest” and July brings fireworks, concerts (Bon Jovi night!), and more community events to Enfield and Windsor Locks area. If you enjoy the arts, the Arts Council has something for everyone at “ART’ober Fest”! 

Cedarbrook Village at Ware, MA is a quiet town that embodies all that you might picture about a quaint, New England town:  rolling hills, trails, shops and dining—as you will find near to other Everbrook communities. Ware, though places you in easy driving distance of 3 major cities and all the entertainment, cultural, and foodie experiences you care to enjoy: Boston, MA; Hartford, CT; and Springfield, MA. For the outdoor enthusiasts, Berkshire Mountains offer waterways, trails, and bikeways to explore—and  there’s a variety of seasonal events to keep you as busy as you’d like to be. For kids of all ages, Great Wolf Lodge and Six Flags New England are in your backyard! At the end of long day of outdoor exploring, relax to a quiet porch at a mountain lodge or – if you’ve spent the day leisure reading on that porch, head to one of the fine cities for an evening on the town.

Hillsbrook Village at Allenstown, NH is quintessential with northern New England small town living. Known for a close-knit community, year-round outdoor activities, and plenty of fairs and festivals pop-up through adjacent towns. Allenstown is where you go to unwind and explore at a slower pace. From Bear Brook State Park to Candia Vineyards to the sites and sounds of Manchester or a little further onto Boston… there’s a little something for everyone within reach of Hillsbrook Village.

Everbrook will be opening 2 more senior living communities this summer; Islebrook Village at Wiscasset, ME and Lunabrook Village at Torrington, CT. We will follow up with more information on those new communities in the coming months.

Today’s older adult is often on the move, and summer is prime time for outdoor activities under the sun. Whether you’re beaching, biking, hiking, gardening, or just relaxing, you’ll want to take extra precautions to protect your eyes from sun exposure. That means investing a little time in choosing quality eyewear designed to counter the sun’s UV rays as well as nourishing and exercising the eyes.

Three Ways to Protect the Eyes

• Proper Summer Eyewear
• Nutrients to Support Eye Health
• Yoga for the Eyes

Proper Summer Eyewear for Active Older Adults

UV-protective eyewear is essential year-round for everyone, particularly in the summer months when we spend more time near bodies of water and other reflective surfaces. Summer days are longer and sun exposure increases as we spend more time outdoors. UV light waves are the damage-causing rays emitted by the sun—too much exposure to UV waves can cause serious problems for the eyes: sun damage, sunburn, cataracts, macular degeneration, and even eye cancer or blindness.  If you have any health conditions of the eye, or take certain medications, your eyes may be at higher risk for sun damage.

Sunglasses for Older Adults should offer 100% UV protection. Your sunglasses should feel comfortable and, depending on your health history may need to “wrap around” your peripheral vision. You may also want to opt for polarized lenses if you spend a lot of time on the water. Always check with your eyecare health provider about the best eyewear for you. 

Hats Off to Sun Protection! Hats with a rim or visor are ideal to filter out rays that your eyewear doesn’t cover.

Don’t Leave Home Without Them. Older adults should wear their sunglasses on overcast, bright days as well as sunny and clear days. Whether your out for a leisurely stroll, gardening or spending time at the beach—don’t leave home without your sunglasses! 

Nutrients to Support Eye Health

Vitamin A. The most important vitamin for healthy eyes and good vision is Vitamin A. Carrots, are well-known for providing Vitamin A, but the nutrient in carrots is beta carotene, which is different from Vitamin A. The body has to convert carotenoids to retinols before it can actively use them. Also, some folks have trouble digesting raw carrots or may not like them. So, you want to be sure to include a variety of foods that are rich in bioavailable Vitamin A—a form most easily assimilated by the body—including foods such as cod liver oil, king mackerel, salmon, sweet potato, winter squash, turnip greens, sweet red pepper, spinach, mango, and cantaloupe

Antioxidants. The foods richest in antioxidants (vitamins A, C and E) tend to be berries (along with other fruits and vegetables in general). These nutrients support the health of the eyes by way of supporting immunity and helping the body to clear-out cellular debris that results from stress, illness, and exposure to toxins 

Yoga for the Eyes

The eyes are supported by bands of muscles (the extraocular muscles) that control their movement. Exercising those muscles can improve circulation to the eyes, which helps reduce inflammation and minimize eye fatigue. Strong eye muscles also protect against the negative effects of vision overuse patterns such as digital eye strain or frequent night driving. 

Below is one of several eye exercises that nourish and strengthen the musclesand other structures of the eyes.

Figure 8 Eye Exercise

You may have practiced this exercise, sometimes called “yoga for the eyes,” if you’ve ever taken a yoga class. This exercise should be done from a seated position, such as at your desk, while relaxing in your favorite chair, or while in an easy, seated yoga pose.

• Pick a point on the floor about 10 feet in front of you and focus on it.
• Trace an imaginary figure eight with your eyes.
• Keep tracing for 30 seconds, then switch directions.

Remember, keeping the eye muscles strong, flexible, and nourished is essential to protecting eye health as you age.

If you are concerned about changes in your vision, or experiencing any of the symptoms listed, it may be time to adopt healthier habits, make changes in your vision care plan, or consult with an ophthalmologist. The health and wellness team at each of the Everbrook Senior Living communities are here to support and guide you.

There’s power in the written word, particularly in reading stories and books that convey a shared experience, shedding light on the ways in which we might, in our own lives, cope with a challenge, heal from a loss or trauma, or become more informed before making difficult decisions for ourselves or for a loved one. All of these are reasons we might turn to reading, both fiction and nonfiction, about how other people navigate a diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. 

Several authors have written about dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, exploring how to come to terms with the diagnosis, tips for seeking care, and finding hope and meaning in the days that remain to be lived. 

Below, we highlight a few of these authors and their memoir, novel, or non-fiction ‘practical guide.’ Not just for adults, you’ll find books that can be helpful for young adults and children who will also need support as they witness mental decline in a beloved family member.

Novels

Conversations with My Mother by Ronald-Stéphane Gilbert is set on the Maine coast where Yvette Allaire has lived her life. As she succumbs to dementia, her nomadic son and acerbic daughter attempt to cope. The novel draws parallels between the erasure of memory brought on by the illness and the deterioration of Maine’s once idyllic coast. It’s a deeply moving story about the ways in which dementia touches the lives of family members, bringing them to find hope in the present moment—for there is no other moment in time when losing a loved one to dementia. 

Still Alice by Lisa Genova is a remarkable novel about Alice Howland’s rapid spiral into Alzheimer’s disease at just 50 years old. A Harvard professor with everything going for her, Alice must re-evaluate everything in her life—work, family, relationships, identity—and find her new place in the world, while being still Alice. Genova, who lives in Massachusetts, is a Harvard trained neuroscientist, who has written several novels dealing with the mystery of memory—how it is formed and what happens to people’s lives as it slips away. 

Nonfiction

The Inheritance Drawing from several years of in-depth research, Boston-based journalist Niki Kapsambelis tells the story of Alzheimer’s through the humanizing lens of an ordinary family made extraordinary by both their terrible circumstances and their bravery. The DeMoe family has an inherited genetic mutation that causes Alzheimer’s in one hundred percent of cases and has a fifty percent chance of being passed on to future generations. The DeMoe’s story is intertwined with the dramatic narrative exploring the cutting-edge research looking for a possible cure and an in-depth account of the physicians spearheading this groundbreaking research.

My Father’s Brain: Life in the Shadow of Alzheimer’s by Sandeep Jauhar, M.D. is a deeply affecting memoir of the author’s father’s descent into dementia. With humility, humor, and heartbreak, Jauhar, a practicing cardiologist based on Long Island, explores the moral and psychological concerns that arise when family members must become caregivers, when children’s and parents’ roles reverse, and what it means to be oneself. Throughout we gain insight into why the brain and memory degenerate with age, the bioethics of research, and how researchers, doctors, and caregivers are left to confront with this devastating illness.

For Young Readers

Cassie and the House of Mirrors, a graphic novel by Dean Stuart depicting the enduring bond between a grandfather and grandchild as the grandfather succumbs to dementia. With sensitivity and care, the books takes readers on a journey into the mind of Alzheimer’s When Cassie’s grandfather wanders off, sets out to find him but instead finds herself in “grandpa’s memory place”—a mysterious place not unlike a house of mirrors or a Salvadore Dali painting, which gives Cassie access to her grandfather’s memories and state of mind. Not merely story, the graphic novel is informative in an age-appropriate way allowing Cassie to appreciate her grandfather’s life and understand him as he grapples with dementia. 

A Loved One with Dementia: Insights and Tips for Teenagers by Jean Rawitt gives young adults insight into what dementia is and offers meaningful ways for continuing to have positive interactions with their loved one. With thoughtful guidance from professionals and glimpses into coping from other young adults who have experienced dementia in a loved one, this is a wonderful guide helping young people cope with the mix of difficult emotions that arise when a family member is losing their memory.

Additional book titles and lists

The Complete Family Guide to Dementia

Auntie P, Music & Me by Pamela Krist Atwood

Dementia Action Alliance Reading List

Books to help children understand dementia 

It can be easy for us middle-aged adults to think that our aging parents, well into their retirement years, don’t experience stress. After all, they are no longer running frantic with the responsibilities of work, family, and community. Yet stress is a real issue for our aging loved ones. Often, symptoms of stress in an aging parent can be mistaken for symptoms of dementia.

Furthermore, chronic stress in older adults has even been linked to onset of dementia. It’s important for adult children and caregivers to understand sources of stress in older adults and how this differs from dementia symptoms.

A 2021 survey showed that 44% of older adults age 50-80 experience significant stress that affects how they feel, think, and function in daily life. Even in the years following the COVID-19 pandemic, there has not been a significant change in rates of stress and stress related illness among American adults, including older adults. 

Stressors Affecting Older Adults

There are many sources of stress that can affect an older adult. Some of these are personal stressors—events or circumstances that are unique to each individual. Others are ‘collective’ or ‘global’ stressors—things that all of us, across age groups, are exposed to and affected by to some degree. Here is a short list of common stressors affecting older adults:

• Loneliness
• Sleep changes and sleep deprivation
• Grief
• Changes in social status
• Changes in financial circumstances 
• Changes in health and/or mobility
• Retirement & loss of sense of purpose
• Caregiving for a seriously ill partner
• Poor eating habits
• Chronic Pain
• Feeling helplessness about or being affected by social issues such as gun violence, economic upheaval, climate disasters

How Stress Affects Older Adults

When the body is under stress, activating all physiological systems for fight or flight. In the short term, and with access to strategies and resources to mitigate the stress, the body adapts and recovers, returning to a state of balance.  Chronic stress, however, causes significant physiological changes and accumulation of stress hormones leading to inflammation, weakening immunity, and increasing the risk of stress-related illnesses, such as digestive issues, weight gain, chronic pain, heart disease, stroke, depression and anxiety and even risk for dementia. 

Older adults display symptoms of stress such as

• Problems sleeping
• Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
• Feeling pressured or rushed
• Eating too much or not enough
• Being irritable or moody
• Forgetting things
• Experiencing physical symptoms such as stomach problems, headaches, or back pain

Compare the above stressors with the early symptoms of dementia, below.

Early Symptoms of Dementia

• Everyday tasks that should come easily cause frustration or agitation
• Changes in mood that show a significant shift in personality
• Trouble communicating, following a conversation, and losing train of thought
• Forgetfulness in a variety of circumstances
• Difficulty concentrating, following a conversation, or train of though
• Unusual anxiety, fear, or suspicion
• Neglecting personal hygiene or care of living space
• Confusion about time and place
• Not taking medications as directed

Remember, lots of older adults—all adults, really—can be forgetful and have problems sleeping especially during a stressful time. This does not necessarily indicate an increased risk for dementia. You have to look at the duration, the context, and the pervasiveness of the symptoms you are observing in an aging parent. If the symptoms are out of context with the situation, are long-term, and pervasive, then something more than stress may be going on. Be sure record your observations and discuss your concerns with a geriatric physician. 

The Right Care at the Right Time for an Aging Parent

If you find that your aging parent is experiencing long-term stress that is deteriorating their ability to care for themselves in their living space, then it may be time to consider assisted living. This is especially important to do if you are unable step into the caregiver role for your parent. At Everbrook Senior Living, our compassionate care counselors offer support and guidance through the complex choices around care for an aging parent. We are here to help you make informed choices that best suit your loved one’s needs. Our state-of-the-art, affordable luxury residences provide both social-emotional outlets and medical attention that your loved one may made need. Our properties located throughout New England offer a full complement of health, wellness, recreational, social, and cultural activities to support older adults from independent living to assisted care.

Other Resources

Can Stress Cause Dementia? 

The Influence of Chronic Stress on Dementia-Related Symptoms

Is Stress an Overlooked Risk Factor for Dementia?

The luck o’ the Irish is upon us, as March springs forth it's meadows of four-leaf clovers and golden daffodils. Warmer weather means more time outdoors in the New England region and a perfect opportunity for older adults to engage in fun activities to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

You don’t have to be a little leprechaun to enjoy the festivities around St. Patrick’s Day. Older adults can celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with Mad Hatter crafts, Irish dancing, baking traditional Irish treats, playing luck-themed games, or attending parades and community events.

For those who love basketball – you can show-off your team colors in crafty ways during March Madness! And, if there are little leprechauns in your life, invite them to join you at your residence at Everbrook Senior Living.

Mad Hatter Top Hat Craft for St. Patrick’s Day

No matter your age, this craft is a big hit because there are countless ways to design and decorate a top hat. You can work with inexpensive paper craft materials or get really fancy by starting with an actual top hat (check vintage stores or online) that you transform into your own Mad Hatter Top Hat. Let these images inspire your creativity and follow the links for all manner of designs. 

Glittery Leprechaun Top Hat  – perfect for all ages and particularly fun to do with the grandkids!

Truly a Mad Hatter Fascinator – you won’t find the Queen wearing these fascinators, but you will have a blast designing one! From chic to funky, you determine just how “mad” you want your design to be…or tie in with March Madness and incorporate your team’s logo/colors.

Easter Mad Hatter Top Hat – incorporate the Easter season colors and patterns with this paper-craft design using cardstock. 

Lucky Leprechaun Fabric Top Hat – begin with a vintage hat that you want to upcycle or use the cardboard “frame” and decorate with fabric scraps. A great way to bring together your crafty friends to reuse scrap materials! 

More top hat design ideas to share with friends and family.

Not Crafty – No Problem! St. Patrick’s Games and Events for Older Adults

Not everyone has a green thumb for crafts. The activities below will keep everyone engaged in the St. Pat’s festivities.

St. Patrick's Day Parades & Special Events – Most local municipalities will “paint the town green” with parades, music or art events, and entertainment. Check with your Everbrook Senior Living concierge for activities in the local area including those at art museums, libraries, restaurants, and parks and recreation venues. (FYI:  In New England, Daffodil Festivals are very popular!)

Irish Trivia Night – Whether you use index cards or PowerPoint to set up a game and see who knows the most about all-things-Irish film, books, art, or history... trivia night is a fun way to learn together. Consider adding prizes for the individual and/or team with the most points.

Gold Coin Toss Game – You might not shoot hoops anymore, but we bet you can get a gold coin in a pot that’s a few feet away. Get your teams together, line up your leprechaun pots and give each team 20-25 gold coins (the plastic kind).

The goal: get as many gold coins in the pot as possible from behind the line of demarcation. Two teams of 2-5 each compete against each other to progress to the “playoff”. (All teams should have equivalent number of players and each player gets the same number of coins). The team that has the most coins in the pot after each round moves on until only one team remains. Plan to have a great prize for the semi-finalists and finalist, too.  

Irish Movie Night – we’ll just give you a few new and classic movies that revolve around Ireland, Irish themes, or Irish actors. Pop some green popcorn, serve your favorite beverages, and green-themed treats to share. The Banshees of Inisherin, The Devil’s Own, The Wind that Shakes the Barley, Ondine, Calvary, Leap Year, Waking Ned Devine, The Luck of the Irish (young adult/family with basketball theme), Gangs of New York – search your favorite streaming service or Google for more film ideas.

Irish Baking Bonanza – from soda bread to clover-shaped cookies to lime-green scones and mint-chocolate chip pie (with or without the Baileys!), you can find a great variety of Irish themed recipes online. Whether you all bake together or simply come together to share your creations, there’s sure to be something for everyone to enjoy before the day is done. Check out these Irish treats from the folks at Delish! 

An Intimate Irish Evening – just the two of you or an intimate group of friends? Plan an Irish luncheon or dinner with the traditional recipes from “the great island”. 

Irish Jig Dance – Bring in the Irish steppers and jig dancers to teach lessons to your friends and family... then have a Jig Dance-off. For those with arthritis, a line dance or chair dancing is a great alternative.

We hope you have a lucky St. Patrick’s Day, rich with the blessings of good health, the comforts of a nurturing home, and the bonds of friendship. That’s exactly what you’ll find at Everbrook Senior Living – a community of support that suits your lifestyle and meets your unique social, emotional, and health needs. To learn more about our first-in-class amenities, residential lifestyles, and specialized services call today to schedule a tour. 

In 2013, some thirty years after Diana Nyad tossed in the proverbial towel on her dream to swim from Cuba to Florida, she returned to the ocean—at age 64—to complete the dangerous feat. It took her 5 attempts over four years to complete the 110-mile ultra-swim that she failed to do at age 28.

Diana is proof that you’re never too old to get back in the water and swim after a dream. Her achievement is not just a testament to the ability of the body to adapt to physical conditioning at any age, but to the power of mindset, social support, and trust in the possibility of “What if I still can?”

It’s true that she had the benefit of modern training techniques and nautical technology, both of which had come a long way since the 1970s. These things were not what kept Diana in the pool or the ocean every day for hours. 

Diana did something each of us can learn to do:She embraced the wisdom of her age and life experience to shift her thinking away from all the things she did wrong or should’ve done differently. By letting go of regret and resentment, Diana could channel her energy into the possibility of what she could do—and could she—just possibly—do now what she physically failed to do in her youth?

Today’s older adults are entering their sixties with a desire to revitalize goals and dreams from their younger days. And, we want our lives to be meaningful and healthy well into our 80s.

Even if you weren’t an athlete “in a former life,” there are many things you can do to maintain—or restore—healthy exuberance in your sixties and beyond. Before we talk about those tips, let’s understand the changes that we all face in our sixties.

Mind and Body Changes that Take Place After Age 60

The changes that began in your 40s and 50s carry over become more noticeable in your 60s:

• Tiring more easily
• Increased recovery time from illness and injury
• Loss of muscle mass leads to reduces strength & flexibility
• Slowing metabolism can lead to weight gain
• Lower libido & other changes in sexual function
• Being more forgetful and less focused
• Feeling less emotionally resilient
• Increased risk for falling and for fractures
• Changes in appetite and food preferences
• Reduced control of bladder function

Also, you want to be sure to keep-up with routine health screenings based on your age and gender. 

6 Ways to Be Healthy in Your 60s so You Can Be Active in Your 80s

The six tips presented here are a good starting point for discussion with your healthcare provider to create a plan that suits your needs. If you are an Everbrook Senior Living resident—or thinking about becoming one—we have an array of health and wellness programs to help you reach your goals.

1. Cultivate Optimism

No matter your age, how you think about yourself and your experiences has a significant influence on how you feel physically and emotionally. As we learn from Diana’s story, it is never too late to make amends with ourselves or with others and flex a different mindset. To adopt a more positive outlook—and see the possibilities that are within your reach—consider the benefits of mindfulness practices.

At Everbrook Senior Living, we offer many such programs including yoga, guided imagery, journaling, meditation, music and arts programming. Mindfulness practice help us still the mental chatter, let go of stress and worry, and cultivate a non-judgmental perspective. In addition to supporting emotional wellbeing, mindfulness practices have been shown to help lower blood pressure, reduce muscle tension and chronic pain, and contribute to exceptional longevity and health in older adulthood, 

2. Keep Moving 

Physical activity is medicine for body and mind, providing numerous benefits for folks age 60 and older:

• improves range of motion, coordination & balance, which decreases risk for falls
• stronger bones & improved joint health
• improves blood flow to muscles & vital organs, supporting overall health 
• enhances learning, memory, mental processing & focus
• enhances sleep
• builds social connections when we exercise with others
• lowers the risk of chronic illness

There is enough variety of exercise programs for you to find something you love—or to rekindle an activity you enjoyed long ago. Inquire with your local YMCA, JCC, or your Everbrook wellness concierge if you have a specific interest and need help getting started.

If you’ve maintained your fitness level throughout your life, then you may be your own version of Diana Nyad, and have a higher capacity for vigorous exercise—and the next Big Goal! 

3. Exercise Your Brain

The best way to prevent cognitive decline and memory problems that are typical with aging is by exercising your brain. Be sure you are getting out and about: Visit farmer’s markets, craft shows, museums, and local parks. Do a daily puzzle or a word search. Read widely and often. Gather with friends for an evening of games. Take an art class. Learn new technology or pick-up an instrument and fiddle around. At Everbrook, you have access to a great variety of social, arts, and cultural programs and trips. We also offer specialized memory care programming.

4. Nourish Your Body

A healthy diet is essential to disease prevention and maintaining youthful vitality. As an older adult,  your nutritional needs change quite a bit. Your activity level drives your body’s need for calories, but nutrient needs after age 60 become more specific and in some cases will be higher than what you needed in your 30s and 40s!

Older adults also may want to consider a few specific nutritional: calcium, magnesium, fiber, vitamin D, vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12, probiotics, and Omega-3 fatty acids. Always check with your health provider or a licensed nutritionist before starting any type of supplement.

5. Nurture Social Connections

Studies show that older adults who are socially connected are less prone to feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression. Socially connected adults also seem to live longer, more fulfilling lives. Make time to meet regularly with friends and family, check-in on your neighbors, join a hobby group or book club, take a class, or volunteer in your community. Also, it’s important for older adults to maintain intimacy with their partners. 

6. Prioritize Sleep

As we age, we tend to experience interrupted sleep. This can be due to aches and pains that wake us, medications, or illness that affects the quality of sleep. If you have trouble falling or staying asleep, you can create a sleep routine to help you get the rest you need.

Investing in your health and wellbeing is something you can do (or resume doing) at any age. If you want to be part of a community that values your wellbeing throughout the Golden Years, and where you can find support for what inspires you to be well and live well, look no further than Everbrook Senior Living. We hope you will reach out to us, today! 

So, what does it mean to have quality of life in your Golden Years? The topic is so important that the month of January is recognized as International Quality of Life Month.

Whether you’re approaching retirement age or helping a parent plan for their Golden Years, an important consideration is how to create and maintain quality of life. Older adult quality of life goes well beyond the size of one’s retirement income. There are plenty of people with substantial retirement accounts who don’t have quality of life. 

Beyond the basics of physical health, comfort, and safety, older adult quality of life encompasses the individual’s needs, interests, and goals so they can experience wellness and happiness, day-to-day. At the core of quality of life for older adults are social-emotional factors that empower them to maintain their dignity, independence, and social connection and which create opportunities for a fulfilling life.

Tips to Create & Enhance Quality of Life in Older Adulthood 

The habits and attitudes that you adopt during older adulthood can keep the mind “youthful” and contribute to feeling more energetic, motivated, and connected in life. It’s never too late to take action to create and enhance your quality of life.

1. Keep Your Mind Sharp

A mind kept active by learning, reading, exploring, and meditating pays big dividends! Keeping your mind sharp offers protection against dementia-related decline, improves memory and reaction time, and supports independent living. Here some ways to challenge your brain:

• Solve puzzles: jigsaw, word search, crossword, sudoku
• Learn sign language
• Learn a new craft 
• Learn a new skill including new technologies
• Keep a diary
• Play games—board games and digital games both have benefits
• Do an 'Escape Room' with friends—2 benefits: brain challenge and social connection!
• Exercise—it’s good for your brain! 

2. Don’t Be a Loner

As we get older, our social circles change—children grow-up and create lives of their own, so ours don’t revolve around their needs anymore. Work relationships change after retirement and casual get-togethers tend to dwindle. Social isolation and lonliness is a significant national health concern, particularly for older adults. Don’t fret! There are so many ways to maintain/create social ties and build community in the Golden Years. Try these:

• Join the Y, JCC, Senior Center, or a special interest club (art, photography, book club)
• Inquire at a local public library about online or in-person groups for seniors
• Volunteer – older adults make great readers to young kids, literacy coaches, and helpers at soup kitchens, or with programs like Habitat for Humanity. 
• Schedule a weekly date with one or more friends—and keep it!

3. Get a Move On!

Physical activity is essential for mental and physical health. It also supports healthy social connections. Regular physical activity helps an older adult maintain mobility, balance, strength, and heart and lung health. You don’t have to move like Jagger, but you do need to move, even if it is from a chair. Try these activities to do your body and mind good: 

• Chair (or mat) yoga
• Country line dancing or other dance class
• Swimming or water aerobics
• Walking with a friend
• Gardening

4. Bridge the Generational Gap

Keeping in touch with the younger folks in your family or community can be challenging. They’re busy living lives of their own and as we age we tend to put the onus of maintaining connections of the young person. Don’t wait for them to reach out—call, text, write a letter and don’t give up. Do, of course, let them know that when their lack of response bothers you and express how you feel Be proactive—suggest plans, invite them over, or schedule regular video chats to share what is going in your lives. 

5. Practice Relaxation

Establishing a routine relaxation practice helps to reduce stress, improves brain function, reduces muscle tension, and supports a healthy immune system. Some of the best ways to practice relaxation include: sitting (or lying) meditation, yoga, visualization, deep breathing, listening to soothing music, journaling, and spending time in nature. All have similar and their own unique benefits for mind and body health and to promote overall wellbeing.

• Set aside 10-15 minutes each day to practice
• Keep a journal of your state of mind before and after your practice 
• Try a meditation app to help you begin and progress

There are many other factors that contribute to older adult quality of life, some of which you can learn more about on our blog, including:

• quality sleep for older adults
• nutrition for wellness and brain health
• hobbies and volunteerism
• setting intentions
• maintaining intimacy and social connection

Redefine Purpose, Passion, and Leisure at Everbrook Senior Living 

Engaging in hobbies and leisure activities is vital to quality of life in the Golden Years. The activities we’ve discussed offer a sense of purpose and fulfillment, both of which support healthy, independent living for older adults. Really, though, it’s just the tip of the proverbial iceberg as there are as many ways to create meaning and quality of life in older adulthood. 

At Everbrook Senior Living, our best-in-class programs and services are focused on the unique interests and needs of every resident. We design custom programs to help our residents explore meaning and redefine purpose and passion for themselves. 

Whether it’s gardening, painting, a club focused around movies, books, or the NFL, or any other activity, we offer a multitude of options for creativity and self-expression and social interaction.

We create environments and provide care that addresses and nurtures an older adult’s physical, emotional and social well-being. A holistic approach is crucial in truly enhancing the quality of life for the elderly. Everbrook's caring and professional staff considers every aspect of an older adult quality of life. We wouldn’t want any less for our own family members and you should expect no less for you and yours.

We often hope for holiday visits with aging parents to be sentimental celebrations. For some adult children, though, the holiday visit can be a distressing time. Subtle signs may surface, indicating their parent is not taking proper care of themself—and it may be time to consider assisted living. 

You may already be familiar with the more obvious warning signs that an aging parent is not able to live on their own, such as frequent falls, persistent forgetfulness, hoarding, lack of social relationships, misuse of medication, and overdue bills. During holiday visits, adult children can pay attention for subtle signs that an aging parent needs assisted living care.

When visiting an aging parent, be observant of the following:

• Is their home environment tidy and relatively clean? Or, is there an odor, dirty sinks/toilets/floors, and general messiness that is not typical for them? 
• Are there late notices for bills? Is mail piled up?
• Do they appear unsteady in their gait? navigating stairs? difficulty rising from or lowering to a chair?
• Do you notice any weight loss? 
• Are they maintaining personal hygiene?
• Do they see friends, engage with social groups, or do they spend more time alone?
• Are they taking medications properly? (count pills and check refill dates)
• Do they become defensive about you touching their things or helping to tidy up?
• Are they quick to anger, more easily frustrated, or impulsive? 

How concerned should you be about changes noticed in an aging parent?

There are many reasons why changes occur in an aging parent. Sometime the changes are transient, even temporary, caused by things like a recent illness or injury, or the loss of a beloved pet, friend or partner. Retirement or societal changes that require personal adaptations (such as to new technologies) can bring about temporary attitudinal and emotional shifts as your parent tries to establish a new sense of meaning and purpose for their life.

While such changes warrant careful monitoring and should be addressed with appropriate physical and emotional support, they likely are not indicators that your parent needs assisted living.

You should be concerned, and ready to consider assisted living care for an aging parent if the changes you notice are persistent, intense or worsening, and if they result in frequent visits to the doctor or hospital. Be on the watch for increased isolation, suspicion that your parent is experiencing more than just holiday blues, or overt signs of emotional and physical hazards or self-harm, which require immediate medical attention. Now would be the time to make inquiries about assisted living care.

Start the Conversation: Is it Time to Move to Assisted Living?

When you realize your aging parent is not able to care for themselves and their living space, you may experience conflicting emotions, too. It’s important to be open and honest with your parent. If having the conversation with them is difficult, consider working an aging advocate who can help you both navigate the decision with impartial support for both of you. It’s a good idea to schedule a tour of senior living communities so your loved one can see what the community offers and how their life can improve in an assisted care environment. 

Everbrook Assisted Living offers support from compassionate counselors who can in help you decide about the residential lifestyle and care that meets your parent’s unique needs. We provide a variety of affordable, quality living options (including Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care), amenities, and the medical resources an aging parent needs to live a healthy and meaningful life.