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The Best Activities for Seniors in Assisted Living at Emerald Heights

angelleditor on December 2, 2024

At Emerald Heights in Redmond, WA, residents can choose from a diverse range of activities designed to engage the mind, body and spirit. The assisted living team at Emerald Heights prioritizes wellness, social connection and personal fulfillment, creating an environment where seniors can thrive and live their lives to the fullest. From fitness classes and creative workshops to spiritual gatherings and social events, there is truly something for everyone. Below, we dive into some of the best activities that seniors can enjoy at Emerald Heights, helping to make each day fulfilling, fun and meaningful.

The Benefits of Assisted Living Activities for Seniors

Participating in regularly scheduled activities offers many benefits for seniors. At Emerald Heights, these activities are more than simple pastimes—they contribute to an enriched lifestyle. Being engaged helps residents maintain their cognitive and physical health, stay socially connected and build a sense of community. Physical activities such as the Morning Stretch class and Seated Exercise class promote mobility and strength, while mentally stimulating activities like News Reading and Musical Trivia provide valuable cognitive exercise.

Socializing with fellow residents through games, outings and special events fosters friendships and combats loneliness, adding an emotional dimension to the benefits of assisted living activities. These programs also offer a structured routine, which can provide a sense of purpose and enjoyment.

Activities for Seniors in Assisted Living That Suit All Interests and Lifestyles

Emerald Heights offers a wide variety of activities to appeal to the diverse interests and lifestyles of its assisted living residents. This helps ensure that each resident can find something that resonates with their personality and preferences.

Expanding Knowledge and Abilities: Learning New Skills

Lifelong learning is encouraged at Emerald Heights. Residents can engage in classes and workshops that allow them to learn new skills, keep their minds active and explore personal interests. From joining a Crossword group to participating in creative arts classes, residents are encouraged to embrace curiosity and learning. The Bible Study group is also popular among residents who enjoy expanding their spiritual understanding and discussing faith with others. By offering varied learning opportunities, Emerald Heights ensures that residents can pursue their passions or  discover new ones.

Moving to the Beat: Dancing and Zumba

Dance is a joyful and fun way to stay active, and it’s an integral part of the activities at Emerald Heights. Residents can participate in dance-themed events that include a mix of gentle movements and lively music, whether it’s traditional dancing or a structured class. Zumba classes offer a low-impact option, helping residents stay fit while moving to upbeat music. These dance sessions are both entertaining and beneficial for physical health, improving flexibility, coordination and balance. Plus, dancing with friends creates memorable moments and strengthens social bonds.

Bringing Joy to the Community: Entertainment at Emerald Heights

Entertainment options abound at Emerald Heights, ensuring residents have access to regular events that bring joy and engagement. At Midweek Matinee movie screenings, residents can watch classic films or new releases, offering both relaxation and fun. Jazz Corner events bring live jazz music performances to the community, which residents can enjoy in a cozy, social setting. There’s also Musical Trivia, where residents test their musical knowledge and enjoy reminiscing about favorite tunes. Entertainment at Emerald Heights enriches the lives of residents with fun, music and a sense of community.

Finding the Right Fit: Is Assisted Living the Right Choice?

Assisted living can be an excellent option for seniors who are looking for an active and supportive environment. Emerald Heights offers a safe, engaging and social setting where seniors can participate in structured activities designed to support their well-being. Assisted living provides an ideal combination of independence and access to care, giving residents the opportunity to enjoy daily activities while also benefiting from professional support when needed. Emerald Heights is dedicated to creating a community where each resident can live with purpose and joy.

Keeping the Body and Mind Active: Exercise and Mindfulness Activities

Emerald Heights offers a range of exercise and mindfulness activities that help residents maintain physical and mental wellness.

Staying Fit With Morning Stretch and Seated Exercise Classes

The Morning Stretch class is a gentle way to start the day, focusing on flexibility and range of motion. This class helps residents improve their mobility in a supportive environment. For those seeking a more structured workout, the Seated Exercise class provides an accessible way to build strength, especially for those with limited mobility. These classes help residents feel energized and maintain physical health without overexertion.

Social Connections Through Games: Bingo, Mexican Train and More

Games are a great way for residents to connect and have fun together. Bingo is a crowd favorite, bringing residents together for friendly competition. Mexican Train, a popular domino game, is also offered at Emerald Heights, encouraging residents to engage in social play. Games are structured for easy participation so residents can relax and focus on enjoyment.

Scenic Drives and Field Trips for New Experiences

Emerald Heights regularly organizes Scenic Drives and field trips, giving residents the opportunity to explore the beautiful Redmond area and beyond. Outings provide a refreshing change of scenery so residents can experience new places and events in the community. Whether it’s a museum visit or a drive to see seasonal foliage, these outings help residents stay connected with the world beyond the campus.

Embracing Nature: Outdoor Excursions and Garden Cart

Outdoor activities are an integral part of life at Emerald Heights. For residents who love nature, there are opportunities to enjoy fresh air and sunshine. Excursions may include trips to nearby parks or botanical gardens. For those who enjoy gardening, the Garden Cart provides a mobile opportunity to plant flowers or vegetables, bringing nature right to their doorstep. This hands-on activity helps residents stay engaged with the natural world.

Personalized Activities: Finding What Works Best for Each Resident

Every resident at Emerald Heights has unique interests, and the community is dedicated to providing activities that align with individual preferences. The Resident Council meets regularly to discuss upcoming activities and share ideas, ensuring that residents have a say in the programs they participate in. By listening to resident feedback, Emerald Heights is able to adapt and expand its offerings to meet the community’s evolving interests.

The team at Emerald Heights is committed to creating an inclusive environment where each resident feels seen and valued. This personalized approach enables residents to fully engage in activities that bring them the most joy.

Have Questions About Assisted Living at Emerald Heights? We’re Here to Help

Choosing an assisted living community is a significant decision, and finding the right fit for yourself or a loved one is essential. At Emerald Heights, we understand the importance of providing an enriching environment with activities that promote well-being and happiness. If you’re interested in learning more about assisted living and the lifestyle programs at Emerald Heights, our team is available to answer questions and provide guidance.

Emerald Heights is dedicated to making assisted living a positive, fulfilling experience. Whether you or your loved one enjoys creative arts, physical exercise or social events, there is something for everyone here. Contact us today to learn more about how Emerald Heights supports living an active, purposeful life.

Featured Image: DavideAngelini / Shutterstock

5 Core Benefits of Volunteering for Seniors—and Ideas for Getting Started

angelleditor on October 28, 2024

Many of us look forward to the day we can retire—when we can devote more of our time and energy to checking off the items on our bucket lists. For some, after spending decades working and/or focusing on their family’s needs, retirement presents the chance to see what else life can offer.

Yet retirement isn’t always what people imagine it will be.

A recent study by T. Rowe Price looked at why older adults are repurposing or going back to work. Considerable proportions of the respondents said they were either working or looking for work in retirement for the following reasons:

  • They needed more social engagement.
  • They sought more mental stimulation.
  • They wanted the meaning and fulfillment work provides.
  • They had nothing else to do with their time.

While going back to work is one way to address these perceived shortcomings of retirement, there’s another option: volunteering.

Help Others, Help Yourself

For many seniors volunteering is an excellent choice because they’re doing something good for their community while deriving benefits themselves. Below are five compelling reasons to consider volunteering in retirement.

1. It can increase your physical activity.

Staying physically active might be more of a challenge after retiring—especially if you don’t have a set schedule to follow. Committing to a volunteer activity for a couple of hours at least once or twice a week motivates you to get out of the house.

And, depending on what kind of volunteering you do, you might get a good workout while you’re at it. Working at a community garden, walking dogs for a local animal shelter and packing boxes at a food pantry are a few ways to get more movement as you volunteer.

2. It’s good for your brain.

A recent study from UC Davis Health found that seniors who volunteered had better baseline scores on tests of executive function (which includes problem-solving, planning and being able to stay focused) and verbal episodic memory (the ability to remember a list of words or recall a story) than seniors who did not volunteer, even after adjusting for various factors such as age and education. Seniors in the study who volunteered several times a week had the highest level of executive function.

If you want to challenge your brain, choose a volunteer activity that provides mental stimulation—like working as a docent at a museum or teaching a class on smartphones, tablets or computers at the local senior center.

3. It can boost your emotional health.

For many, work provides much more than income. It’s a way to stay engaged with other people and the world at large. Work can also provide a sense of purpose and accomplishment, as can raising a family. While retirement can bring an abrupt halt to all of that, seniors can derive all of these benefits from volunteering.

Doing something that makes you feel like you’re making a difference can increase your feelings of self-worth. Try something like helping children develop their literacy skills by volunteering as a reader for story time at a nearby library.  

4. It provides social opportunities.

For various reasons, older adults may spend more time alone—which can lead to loneliness and social isolation and both are associated with higher rates of depression, according to the National Institute on Aging.

Volunteering brings you into contact with others, sometimes with people from age groups and backgrounds you wouldn’t normally interact with, and everyone can benefit. Try being a mentor or tutoring students, who will gain from your knowledge and experience. In return, they can help you stay current. You may even find yourself becoming a surrogate grandparent.   

5. You can brush up on old skills and learn new ones.

Is there something you love to do or something you’re particularly good at? There’s a good chance you can put your skills and talents to work helping others (or teach them how to do it, too). For example, if you’re good with numbers, you can look into becoming a tax-aide volunteer with AARP Foundation®.

Maybe there’s a specific organization you’d like to give some time to. You’ve nothing to lose by checking into potential volunteer opportunities, and you may discover they’re willing to invest in training you to do something you hadn’t even thought of!

Unsure of Where To Begin?

If you’re looking for the best ways to volunteer and give back in retirement, you can try national organizations like Habitat for Humanity®, AARP® or AmeriCorps Seniors.

You can also search online for local organizations that align with your interests. Schools, churches, libraries, animal shelters and hospitals almost always welcome volunteers.

Don’t be afraid to get creative. If you have time and energy to spare, there are plenty of retiree volunteer opportunities available, and you don’t have to limit yourself to your local community. If you enjoy traveling, explore these volunteer abroad opportunities for older adults suggested by Volunteer Forever.

Emerald Heights Residents Love Giving … and Giving Back

Many who live at Emerald Heights volunteered before they joined us, and some still devote their time and effort to those same charities and organizations. Others have found new ways of contributing, both to the Emerald Heights community and the greater community that surrounds us.

There are dozens of ways to volunteer at Emerald Heights, from maintaining our nature trail (which, incidentally, was built entirely by resident volunteers!) to making hundreds of handcrafted toys throughout the year in the woodshop to donate during the holidays.

Our residents also express their generosity through charitable giving—like supporting Hopelink’s annual food drive.

Earlier this year, the City of Redmond and the Redmond Senior Advisory Committee honored one Emerald Heights resident as a Volunteer of the Year for her leadership of the Redmond Senior Quilters Group. For almost a decade, she has led and coordinated donations to those in need. The group makes and donates quilts to the YWCA and donates other items to the Ronald McDonald House in Seattle and to local animal shelters.

The Benevolence Fund, which was created to assist residents who’ve outlived their resources, is another popular way Emerald Heights residents help others. Each week, trained residents work at the coffee shop here in our community during designated “Benevolence Brew” hours, and the proceeds are donated to the Benevolence Fund.

Volunteer Appreciation Event

While we appreciate our residents’ generosity all throughout the year, we make a point of recognizing those who’ve contributed their time, skills and expertise within and outside of the community at a special volunteer appreciation event each spring.

This year, staff members from all departments at Emerald Heights, including the executive team, served breakfast to a roomful of dedicated resident volunteers. Guests from one of the local organizations that has benefited from our residents’ efforts attended the event, adding to the joyful spirit of the morning.

If Emerald Heights sounds like the kind of community you’d like to be part of, we encourage you to contact us and set up a visit!

Featured Image: PeopleImages.com – Yuri A / Shutterstock

Tips when Selecting an Assisted Living Community

angelleditor on October 18, 2024

Choosing an assisted living community can be a daunting task. Where do you even start? Experts from Emerald Heights have compiled a list of certain qualities to look for when making the decision to move to an assisted living community.

Explore the Services

Services are going to be the main thing you want to analyze before selecting an assisted living community. Before touring and exploring housing options, ask yourself what is the top priority for you or your loved one. Is it the need for 24/7 staff on site? Help with basic care like bathing, medication management and daily living? Or do you want to make sure there are social activities, entertainment options and recreational opportunities?

Ideally the community you select will incorporate all aspects of a well-rounded lifestyle from top-of-the-line care to great dining options to plenty of socialization opportunities.

Community Age

Another thing to consider is how old the community is. There are many benefits to selecting a newly constructed community such as upgraded technology, newer apartment units, more modern designs and the luxury of being one of the first residents.

However, with a new community you still want to make sure staff and leaders have years of experience managing an assisted living community.

A perfect balance is an established community, like Emerald Heights, which is currently expanding and offering new apartment units. FirView is Emerald Heights’ newest assisted living building offering 54 brand new apartments. Here you will get the newest home and the established, effective care methods of Emerald Heights.

FirView will open in 2025, however interested residents can be added to a waitlist prior to the community opening.

Price

Price plays a large factor when choosing any new housing option. Assisted living communities offer a large variety of prices so narrowing choices down based on budget is always a good place to start.

Transparency regarding price is also a good sign to look for. Hidden fees, constant price increases and difficulty finding starting prices will make the move more frustrating and difficult. 

Emerald Heights assisted living offers price breakdowns depending on level of care, housing options and added services. This is a tool that is constantly updated to reflect the most accurate services and prices. It can be found on the Emerald Heights website and experts are always happy to walk through it with you.

Tour the Community

The best way to select an assisted living community is to see and explore it yourself. Take a tour of the community, work with their experts, ask all the questions you may have and interact with some of the current residents. This will not only help you make your decision but also give you confidence knowing the ins and outs of the community.

If you are interested in Emerald Heights and their assisted living options, we would be more than happy to give you a tour or answer any of your questions.

Emerald Heights experts are always available to ensure the transition to assisted living is a smooth process.

Image Credit: PeopleImages.com – Yuri A / Shutterstock

Socialization in the Corwin Center

angelleditor on September 10, 2024

At the Corwin Center, Emerald Heights’ onsite assisted living community, staff is always available to ensure residents are getting the right level of care at all times.

The goal of assisted living at Emerald Heights is to help residents remain as independent as possible and step in when needed. However, in the spirit of helping residents live a full, independent life, there are a multitude of social activities for all residents to enjoy.

Socialization, activity, entertainment and recreation play a key role in Emerald Heights’ standard of living. Assisted living is not just about catering to basic needs but making sure residents have everything they need for mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing.

According to a recent study by the National Institute of Health, 30% of assisted living residents nationwide have experienced depression symptoms at some point while living in their communities. Emerald Heights and the Corwin Center are doing all they can to mitigate these feelings by promoting socialization, activities, and enrichment opportunities.

Types of Socialization Offered

There are dozens of physical fitness classes for residents led by instructors that have the goal of supporting daily activities. There are also walking groups, personal training, and outdoor physical activities to promote wellness.

If a resident’s care plan does not focus on physical activity, there are many other ways to socialize and connect with neighbors at the Corwin Center. There are daily activities including art, music, games, educational lectures, religious services, and so much more.

Some of these activities are for assisted living residents only, however many activities are for both assisted living and independent living residents. This is a great way for residents to socialize with people from all over the community.

This is also one of the largest benefits of the continuum of care offered at Emerald Heights. If a resident finds themselves moving to assisted living from independent living, they are still able to connect with all the friends they have made and participate in many of the activities they have grown accustomed to.

Why Does Socialization Matter

No matter what interests a resident has, the act of socialization in any shape or form can have a huge impact on the wellbeing of residents in assisted living.

Research shows socialization and activity can mitigate depression, loneliness and isolation. Mental health is a huge focus for Emerald Heights and making sure residents have a sense of belonging and purpose is always top of mind.

Many of these activities can also stimulate the mind and foster positive emotions which can improve brain health. Participating in group discussions, attending weekly activities, joining resident groups and sharing ideas with others helps to improve cognitive function and reduce the risk of cognitive declines such as Alzheimer’s or dementia.

The benefits of socialization in assisted living are endless. By ensuring there are opportunities around every corner for residents to connect with one another, Emerald Heights is helping residents live a fulfilling life.  

Back to School at Emerald Heights

angelleditor on August 28, 2024

Back to School at Emerald Heights

Thousands of Redmond students are preparing to go back to school for another successful year. However, they aren’t the only ones putting their learning caps on.

Residents at Emerald Heights are also students of life, constantly learning and expanding their horizons; school just looks a little different in their 38-acre community. Below are just some of the ways residents are continuing to keep their minds active in retirement.

Learning at Emerald Heights

Residents come to Emerald Heights from all walks of life, careers, and interests. But with dozens of resident groups and activities going on in the community, retirement is a great time to learn a new skill.

From art to gardening, music to quilting, there are countless opportunities to pick up a new hobby. Classes are offered for beginners of all types and with such a welcoming community, neighbors and experts are always happy to help residents gain skills in their new craft.

Emerald Heights also hosts guest speakers who teach residents about specific topics. Professor Dorsey Armstrong and Dr. David Smith often visit the community to give residents history lessons or lectures on interesting topics. This promotes great conversations and lifelong learning opportunities.

All of these options offered within the Emerald Heights community not only promote learning but it is also a great way to socialize with neighbors through shared interests.

Continuing Individual Learning in Retirement

There are also many ways to continue learning on your own as an older adult.

Residents at Emerald Heights can tune into the in-house TV channel for The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Washington. The Osher series covers lectures on topics such as the arts, health science research, current events, global issues and so much more.

For residents wanting to take their learning a step further, Osher and the University of Washington offer in-person courses for individuals over 50 years old at reduced rates as well.

Individual activities like sudoku, jigsaw puzzles, crossword puzzles, and reading are also great ways to continue learning and improve the brain’s executive function.

These types of activities are not only enjoyable, but they help increase your ability to plan, focus, make decisions, multitask, and assist with recall and memory.

Why learning is so important in aging

Just like keeping your body active to promote a long, healthy life, the brain must be exercised to stay strong as well. 

Lifelong learning not only improves brain health, but it also increases socialization, improves moods, reduces risk of memory loss, and increases self-confidence.

Learning does not have to be boring. It can be a passion project, trying something new with friends and stepping outside your comfort zone. As long as the neurons in the brain are firing, you will reap the benefits of lifelong learning.

Featured Image: fizkes / Shutterstock

Why Is a Continuum of Care Important When Considering a Senior Living Community?

angelleditor on July 26, 2024

senior residents playing a card game

If you’ve been looking into various senior living options, whether for yourself or a family member, then you’ve probably come across the term “continuum of care.” Depending on the context, the term can have different, but related, meanings.

Let’s start by defining the term in general, and then we’ll take a look at the benefits of selecting a senior living community that offers a full continuum of care. 

Continuum of Care Definition

The continuum of care in health care refers to a spectrum of care and services that meet a person’s changing needs over time.

To see how the term applies to senior living, it helps to take a step back and look at the continuum of care meaning in a broader context.

What Is the Health Continuum?

Essentially, the health continuum refers to the entire range of a person’s health, from a high level of wellness to a severe loss of health. This can occur within a specific health episode or as part of the aging process.

With people living longer, on average, there’s a greater emphasis on taking a holistic approach to care (including self-care) that promotes positive, or healthy, aging.

We embrace this holistic approach at Emerald Heights. Our on-site services and amenities focus on seven aspects of wellness to encourage healthy aging:

  • Social
  • Emotional
  • Spiritual
  • Environmental
  • Vocational
  • Physical
  • Intellectual

At Emerald Heights, residents have opportunities every day to support their health and well-being through a variety of educational classes, social events, recreational activities, fitness programs and cultural experiences. 

The Continuum of Care in Senior Living Communities

If you take the concept of the health continuum and apply it to a residential community for older adults, you can see how residents’ needs for care might change over time.

New residents might start out in the community’s independent living neighborhood. Their health is on the “positive” end of the spectrum, and they’re able to engage in their usual routines without help.

As time goes by, they may find it more challenging to manage daily activities such as getting dressed or bathing. Maybe they’ve had a health issue that has affected their mobility or dexterity. Or perhaps they’ve experienced some cognitive impairment. At some point they decide it’s time to transition to the community’s assisted living or memory care neighborhood.

Some residents may need skilled nursing care after a hospital stay or on a long-term basis. Others might require rehabilitation therapy while recovering from an injury or illness.

Communities like Emerald Heights that offer a combination of or all these services are known as Life Care communities. You might also hear them referred to as continuing care retirement communities, or CCRCs.  

The Advantages of Choosing a Community That Offers a Continuum of Care

This is probably the most obvious benefit of choosing a senior living community with a full continuum of care: If you need a higher level of care later on, you can stay in your own community, where the staff and your surroundings are familiar, and your friends and neighbors are close by. 

Life Care communities provide financial benefits, as well.

At Emerald Heights, if you join us as an independent living resident, you’re assured access to long-term skilled nursing care or short-term rehabilitation for as long as you’re part of our community. And, these services are available with no increase in your monthly service fee.

This predictability protects you from the rising cost of long-term health care, no matter what level of care you may need down the road—or how long you might need it.

If you join Emerald Heights directly for assisted living (instead of starting in independent living), you’re still assured access to these same advanced levels of care, but at current service level market rates which is a fraction of what you would pay at a typical assisted living or memory care community.

By choosing a community with a continuum of care, you’ll have a plan in place for accessing advanced care you might need down the road. You’ll be preventing a scenario in which you might have to make a hasty decision under less-than-ideal circumstances. This can give you and your family tremendous peace of mind.

A special consideration for couples.

Older couples have an additional incentive for choosing a retirement community with a continuum of care. If one spouse or partner ends up needing a higher level of care than the other—which happens quite often—they can still be close to each other and continue to enjoy the campus amenities.

The situation may be temporary, such as when one partner needs skilled nursing care after being in the hospital. Or, it could be a longer-term arrangement. Either way, spending time together is easier when there’s no driving involved. 

A Different Way to Age in Place

Most seniors say they want to stay in their home as they get older. But so often, the house they’ve lived in for many years, maybe several decades, gets to be more than they can manage on their own.

Rather than waiting until life forces them to make a change, making an early decision to move into a senior living community that offers a continuum of care makes it easier and safer for older adults to stay in a familiar setting as they age. They’re still part of the community they know and enjoy, and help is readily available if they want or need it.

Life Care at Emerald Heights

Ready to learn more about the benefits of Life Care and the continuum of care at Emerald Heights? We’re here to answer your questions.

Want to come have a look around? Even better!

Contact us to arrange a visit or call 866-822-0916.

Featured Image: PeopleImages.com – Yuri A / Shutterstock

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