Free and Unbiased Information Blog Focused on Helping The Aging

Changing the way you eat doesn’t sound too difficult. But, if you’ve been doing something for most of your life, and now you’re in your 60s or older, that can be pretty daunting. What helps is to have a partner to help you. Those residing within retirement communities that provide three nutritious and delicious meals each day enjoy such a luxury. Rolling Fields is one such community! We use the freshest and finest ingredients while providing plenty of choices in dining. Community members are able to improve their eating habits immediately at Rolling Fields, which can be beneficial to their overall health. Studies have shown that older adults can experience a loss of appetite and changes in taste and smell, resulting in fewer food options and less consumption of healthy foods, including high-fiber items, whole grains and leafy green vegetables. Rolling Fields offers plenty of healthy options. Regardless of what you’re eating, there are other ways to improve your eating habits, and i...

The GreenFields Continuing Care Community last week welcomed a few people a bit younger than their typical demographic; actually, several generations younger. The senior living campus in Lancaster has opened a 6,000-square-foot daycare center for the children of its employees, with operations handled by Imagination Station Child Care & Preschool, which has sites in Batavia, Elma, Alden and Leroy. Already, eight employees are using the service, and three more are signed up to start when they return from maternity leave. Christopher Koenig, CEO at Niagara Lutheran Health System, which oversees GreenFields, said the program will also be available for drop-in care, when employees are called in for a shift last minute, or anytime child care plans are thrown into flux, such as when schools are closed. “They can bring their kids with them and they don’t lose out on pay, and the patients don’t lose out on care,” he said. First announced a year ago, the GreenFields program also has anot...

Hibernation is not an option for seniors during the winter! While the cold, the snow, and the lack of sun can be depressing, you cannot let that cause you to curl into the fetal position and count the days until spring arrives. It’s no joking matter either. Being inactive is unhealthy for you physically, mentally, and socially. Therefore, it’s recommended that you find plenty of ways of staying active and healthy during the winter months. It’s easier to do for some more than others. Too often, seniors don’t notice a change from summer to winter other than adjusting the thermostat and switching from shorts to stocking caps and gloves. It’s also common to not spend nearly as much time outdoors, even when they aren’t limited to indoor activities only. One thing that sets Hearthstone apart is its promotion involvement for residents, engaging everyone in social, cultural, educational, and fitness activities. It’s almost impossible to not be active when you have access to health and well...

The holiday season can be an especially difficult time to grieve the loss of a loved one. Your sense of loss can be magnified during family gatherings, holiday traditions and meaningful events. The need for support is the greatest during the holidays. Focus on good memories and take comfort with family and friends. There are a number of ways you can deal with grief during the holiday season to get through this difficult time. Talk about your emotions with loved ones. Share stories and favorite memories. Be honest about how you’d like to spend your time this holiday season, and don’t do more than you want. If dinner with family or friends doesn’t feel right, develop an alternative option during these tough times. Familiar traditions may be comforting, but it is important to acknowledge that the holidays will not be the same after a loss. Some find comfort in new experiences, a change in location for family celebrations or a new menu. Holiday activities can also cause stress....

Physical therapy helps restore and maintain maximum movement and functional ability. For seniors, therapy can help improve mobility, balance, range of motion and physical strength. Physical therapy helps improve function, musculoskeletal health, and mobility. Individuals with joint or muscle pain or those who have balance problems or difficulty walking can benefit from physical therapy. Following surgery, physical therapy can be effective in reducing pain, swelling and joint stiffness, and helping you re-gain lost muscle strength and endurance. Typical programs may include: Therapeutic exercise Strength and mobility training Gait and balance training Muscle re-education Innovative treatment modalities such as heat, cold, & electrical stimulation Physical therapy is a covered benefit by most insurances when ordered by your health care provider or with an initial evaluation by a physical therapist and a follow up order from your doctor. Rolling Fields recently pa...

Calcium and vitamin D are two of the most important nutrients for bone health, but vitamin D deficiency is common among seniors. Because seniors typically drink less milk and spend fewer hours outside, they often aren’t getting all the vitamin D they need. For most people, sunlight is the most important source of vitamin D, as sunlight converts cholesterol to vitamin D in the body. The kidneys help activate this process, but this function decreases with age. Sunlight may not be enough. Researchers have suggested that it takes up to 30 minutes of sun exposure twice a week to make a sufficient amount of vitamin D from sunlight. The National Institute of Health recommends that adults rely on food and supplements to get the right amount of vitamin D each day. Vitamin D is not common in most foods. Some foods – like dairy products and orange juice – are fortified with vitamin D. Other foods like fatty fish and salmon, beef liver, cheese and egg yolks are also a good source of vitamin D....

Rolling Fields Elder Care Community by Heritage in Conneautville, PA ranks among the top nursing homes in America, according to a recent report from Newsweek. The publication identified the Best Nursing Homes for 2019-2020 and also released the nursing home finder by ranking more than 15,000 homes across the nation. Tonya Moyer, Rolling Fields Interim Administrator, said the recognition was due to the hard work and dedication of all of the Care Partners at Rolling Fields. “The reason why (our Care Partners) are here is because they love our Elders,” Moyer said. “They’re here because of a calling, (and) that feeling permeates the organization. We do what’s right for the Elder, first and foremost.” The achievement of being recognized as one of the Best Nursing Homes of 2019-2020 is a reflection of the work going on each day, Mark Smeltzer, Heritage regional manager of skilled nursing operations, shared. “I’m proud of the Care Partners here and how their hard work every day embod...

Cold weather forces many seniors inside during the winter months, but you don’t have to limit your activities until spring. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services recommends 150 minutes of moderate exercise every week. That’s just 30 minutes, five days a week. Rolling Fields offers a wide range of physical and mental activities and varied programs and events throughout the year to ensure its community members can maintain a vibrant lifestyle all year long. Take a walk on the milder winter days. A short walk every day is great for lowering blood sugar, strengthening muscles and burning off calories. Rolling Fields also offers its own fitness center, wellness programs, and exercise classes to keep you moving all year long. Gather with friends. Clubs and classes offer a welcomed opportunity to stay active and socialize this winter. Card games, BINGO and movie nights create additional opportunities for seniors to remain social while indoors this winter. Get a head start o...

Research has shown that a more plant-based diet may help prevent, treat, or reverse some of our leading causes of death, including heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure. While you may not want to give up steak and chicken for good, you can still adopt a plant-based diet while consuming modest amounts of fish and lean meat. People who averaged eight-plus servings of fruits and vegetables a day were 30 percent less likely to have a heart attack or stroke, compared to those who had less than 1.5 daily servings. Plant foods contain fiber, vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats. A Mediterranean-style diet, based on produce, legumes, grains, and healthy oils, with small amounts of fish and meat, is connected with better brain health in older adults, according to a study in the journal  Neurology . It’s never too early or too late to embrace a healthier lifestyle. Rolling Fields offers dining with nutritious options offered daily – including plenty of fresh fruit and ve...

Pets not only can improve the lives of seniors, but they also have a positive impact on their health too. People of all ages benefit from having a pet, but this is especially true for seniors. Walking a dog not only provides an opportunity for exercise, but also the chance to socialize thanks to increased interactions with neighbors. Studies show that heart rate, blood pressure and stress levels immediately drop after just 15 minutes of bonding with an animal. Long term, pet and human interactions can lower cholesterol levels, fight depression and even help protect against heart disease and stroke. "If you have a dog around, your blood pressure is lower," says Dr. Marty Becker, DVM, veterinary consultant for Good Morning America. "A lot of it goes back to reducing stress." Not only can your pet help improve your health, but they can help recovery time from surgery. One study from Loyola University found that people who use pet therapy while recovering from surger...