4 Tips for Seniors to Stay Active During Winter

Senior man and woman sitting on exercise balls while lifting weights

Staying active is important for a healthy senior lifestyle, but the winter weather may put a hold on your exercise routine. Cold temperatures, icy sidewalks, and blustery wind make it difficult to take a stroll around the block or ride a bike. However, there are many different ways for seniors to stay fit in the winter. Spring will be here before we know it, but until then, check out some alternative workout ideas below.

Walk Around the Mall

Walking around the mall to squeeze in a workout has become popular. After all, the location provides plenty of space to walk, the temperature is controlled, and it’s free – if you can resist purchasing anything.

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While power strolling from store to store is certainly safer than walking on ice-covered pavement, you should still use certain precautions when walking around the mall. Other shoppers may have tracked in slush, making the floor slippery. Wear non-slip shoes and look for any puddles to stay safe. Additionally, you don’t want to exercise in a building when you’re dressed for the outdoors. Walking in scarves and heavy jackets will make you uncomfortably hot, and seniors are more prone to becoming overheated, according to Everyday Health. See if your shopping center has lockers or a coat check to store your gear.

A group of senior women holding resistance bands interact with a female fitness instructor

Join an Exercise Class

If you reside in an assisted living community like Edgewood Healthcare, you can participate in group exercise classes this winter. All 64 Edgewood Healthcare communities offer some sort of fitness classes led by volunteer instructors or life enrichment staff, which differ by location. Senior living staff members adjust the workouts to fit seniors’ needs and capabilities, so you never have to worry about overexerting yourself. Plus, these classes are held indoors to keep participants out of the cold.

Group exercise classes may work out both the body and the brain, since the program gives seniors a chance to talk and spend time together. According to Very Well Health, socializing later in life can reduce one’s risk for depression and Alzheimer’s.

Set up a Home Gym

A woman performing yoga in her homeLittle equipment is needed to turn your living room into a home gym. Most of the time, you may only need a TV and a workout DVD. Senior-friendly fitness videos are available online and in stores, guiding participants through the exercises. This way, you can get a professionally-led workout while staying safe and indoors.

If you do decide to work out in your home, be sure to follow these tips:

Take Advantage of Winter Activities

You don’t have to complete all winter workouts indoors. The snow provides a fun opportunity to enjoy the season – make sure everyone dresses appropriately for the weather. Consider inviting your grandchildren or other family members to build a snowman or referee a snowball fight. The extra effort it takes to trudge through the piles of snow is a workout in and of itself!

With a little creative thought and actions that follow, it’s possible to stay fit during the winter. Visit your local Edgewood community’s Facebook page for a list of regular exercise classes and other activities!

4 Reasons You’re Never Too Old to Give Blood

A blood donor grips a hand flexor at a blood drive

January is officially National Blood Donor Month, during which the American Red Cross and other organizations sponsor blood drives, honor those who give blood, and encourage new donors. For older adults who maintain a lifestyle of independent senior living, donating blood is a great opportunity to get involved in a good cause and help others in your community.

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Here are four reasons why healthy seniors should consider donating blood on a regular basis starting in National Blood Donor Month:

1. Blood is in Short Supply During the Winter.

Since 1970, January has been known as National Blood Donor Month because winter is a challenging time to find blood donors, as many regular donors travel during the holidays, get sick, or cannot travel to their local blood bank due to unfavorable weather conditions. However, the number of people who need blood remains consistent throughout the year. The American Red Cross notes that approximately 44,000 blood transfusions are needed every day in the United States. These donations commonly help cancer patients, people undergoing surgeries, organ transplant recipients, and accident victims. Donating this month ensures people in your community receive blood when they need it most.

2. You Can Save Multiple Lives with one Donation.

Every time you donate a pint of blood, your contribution can potentially save up to three lives. This is because sometimes patients only need a specific component of the blood to treat their condition. Red cells, plasma, and platelets are common components derived from donations through a process known as blood component therapy. Additionally, AARP reports that seniors can give blood more comfortably than younger donors, as they are less likely to experience adverse effects like dizziness, bruising, or fainting.

3. You Receive a Free Mini-Physical Every Time you Donate.

Every time you donate blood, a phlebotomist checks your blood pressure, pulse, hemoglobin level, and temperature to ensure you are healthy before they start the donation process. If any of these levels are abnormal, the technician will alert you and tell you to follow up with a doctor if needed. You are also notified if your blood sample tests positive for infectious diseases, which means donating blood can also be a way to monitor your own health. Don’t be discouraged if your sample is not useable or if you are deferred – your local blood bank will happily have you back to try again once you meet all eligibility requirements.

4. You May Need Blood Someday.

According to AARP, approximately 25 percent of Americans need blood at least once in their lives, and this percentage becomes higher for those of us over 50 years of age. If your healthcare story takes an unexpected turn and you need blood, every pint you receive comes from a generous donor. Take the opportunity while you are in good health to return the favor.     

Ready to donate? Click here to find a blood drive happening near you.

Introducing the Edgewood Health Network

An illustration of an elderly woman meeting a variety of healthcare practitioners

At Edgewood Healthcare, we believe in maximizing the quality of life for our residents and promoting independence through premium housing and convenient access to the best health practitioners in every community.

These values have been at our core since we opened our doors in 1992. Over the years, we’ve adapted and expanded our services to ensure seniors around the region continue to thrive physically, socially, and emotionally. With 2020 upon us, we are ready to begin the new decade with an initiative that builds upon the care our residents already receive: the Edgewood Health Network.

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What is the Edgewood Health Network?

The Edgewood Health Network is a holistic team of preferred healthcare providers who partner with us to provide our residents with the right care plans, medications, and services in the comfort of their own homes.

The network includes physicians, nurse practitioners, home health, hospice, and therapy providers who are hand-selected to “meet our standards of care for our residents,” says Jill Leonardi-Wilson, Executive Vice President of the Edgewood Health Network.

The beginning stages of the network are already in full swing at Edgewood Healthcare—particularly the establishment of In-Home Providers in all locations—but the initiative will continue to expand to all 64 Edgewood Healthcare communities in seven states starting in 2020, Wilson says.

“We are the first of our kind that’s built a network of care,” she adds. “Our residents deserve the highest quality of care, so part of the rollout strategy is to be selective of our healthcare partners to ensure they share our philosophy.”

Your Healthcare Story, Your Choice

Although Edgewood Healthcare residents will have access to all practitioners in their local Edgewood Health Network, residents still have autonomy over their individual healthcare stories because “healthcare is about choice,” Wilson says. When seniors join an Edgewood community, they are not required to change doctors. In fact, we encourage residents to keep their Primary Care Providers, and all specialists in our network regularly communicate with them to stay updated on every resident’s care plan.

“It is a real professional courtesy between healthcare providers to ensure open communication,” Wilson says. Electronic health records make communication seamless, and it’s written into our agreements that all medical professionals communicate and collaborate because that continuum of care is so important.”

An illustration of an elderly woman discusses her prescriptions with a nurse practitioner

However, if an emergency arises and a resident’s Primary Care Provider is unavailable, one of our In-Home Providers can immediately step in. Wilson says this model has already been well-received by local hospitals and healthcare groups, as they realize it can be “complicated for seniors to go out and visit them” due to mobility issues, especially in the winter. She adds that it also cuts down waiting room time.

“We all have a common goal of decreasing hospitalizations and emergency room visits, so as a healthcare community, (practitioners outside of our network) see this as an adjunct to work together and impact all people who need care,” she says.

Quality Care and Prevention Efforts in Daily Life

Healthcare is not just for when a resident is sick or breaks a bone. Preventing incidents like this is at the foundation of the Edgewood Health Network. Our compassionate nurses are our boots on the ground, monitoring the daily needs of our residents, taking blood pressure, dispersing medicine, and helping seniors follow procedures that decrease falls.

“(Our nurses) know our residents really well, so they are able to tell when a resident has had a change in conditions and notify our In-Home Provider right away,” Wilson says. “They’re treating things like colds, coughs, sinus infections, dehydration, and other chronic health issues seniors face that can have large consequences if they’re not addressed right away.”

An illustration of a smiling nurse handing a tissue to an elderly woman lying in bed

Therapy, Home Health, and Hospice Care

The Edgewood Health Network also includes therapy, home health, and hospice care services through CaringEdge to accommodate residents in every chapter of their healthcare stories, no matter what plot twists may occur. Edgewood Healthcare recently launched CaringEdge services after recognizing a critical shortage of hospice and home health services in our communities. Currently, physical and outpatient therapy is offered in 22 of our communities, and hospice services are offered in five communities.

“Edgewood was proactive in looking at how we can meet the need for home health and hospice care,” Wilson says. “We did a lot of detailed analysis to see where there was a shortage and where we can make the most impact.”

Like other services in the Edgewood Health Network, these services will continue to expand to other communities in the new decade.

: An illustration of a male physical therapist cheering on an elderly woman as she strengthens her ability to walk

Meeting Seniors ‘Wherever They Are’ in Their Journey

Overall, Wilson says the goal of the Edgewood Health Network is to optimize the quality of life for all of our residents and make healthcare much more convenient for the senior population.

“We want the services to come to them, and we want them to stay in their homes as long as possible,” she says. “When we think about what makes Edgewood unique, we want to support seniors wherever they are. We want to be a solution.”

If you think Edgewood Healthcare could be a good solution for you or your loved one, contact us today or find a nearby community.