We all know that laughter feels good, but did you know laughter could have a positive impact on your health? It turns out; there’s a reason people say, “laughter is the best medicine.” Research shows that laughing on a regular basis may have powerful physical and mental health benefits. Here are four great reasons to have a good laugh today.

Release endorphins

Laughter is known to trigger the release of endorphins, which can have a positive effect on our mood. Often called “feel-good” chemicals, endorphins are produced naturally by the brain. When released, endorphins produce feelings of happiness and well being and may even provide temporary pain relief.

Reduce feelings of stress and anxiety

A good laugh can be a great form of stress relief. Laughing increases the production stress-relieving chemicals in our body such as dopamine, while simultaneously decreasing levels of the stress hormone cortisol. The physical action of laughing increases oxygen intake, which can serve to relax muscles and reduce overall tension. Reducing stress may also boost immunity and decrease the risk of experiencing anxiety and depression.

Lower your blood pressure and cholesterol

High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and heart disease are all common senior health risks. Laughter may prevent these risks by improving blood oxygenation and regulating circulation, which in turn decrease blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Along with a heart-healthy diet and regular exercise, recent research suggests that laughter may play an important role in improving heart health.

Improve social bonds

Laughter is inherently social, making it an essential part of any relationship. The contagious effect of laughter can bring us closer to friends and family, strengthening our social ties and even helping to resolve conflict or tension.

The health benefits of laughter are especially significant for older adults, who may experience senior health issues such as chronic illnesses and weaker immune systems, as well as loneliness, isolation, or depression. Making time for fun, relaxing activities like playing with a pet, hosting a game night with friends, or simply watching a funny movie or TV show are easy ways to add more laughter to your life every day.

It can be difficult enough to move your loved ones to a senior living community, but downsizing can be even more of a challenge if your senior is also a hoarder. Hoarding is characterized by a persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions because of a perceived need to save them. Research has discovered that hoarding gets progressively worse as a person gets older, and conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease can worsen one’s hoarding tendencies. Here are some helpful ways to understand and deal with senior hoarding.

What is hoarding?

Compulsive hoarding is a psychological disorder that is associated with anxiety and OCD. While it may manifest differently for each individual, it is commonly characterized by an excessive collection of items with the inability to dispose of them. Hoarding often results in a cramped and dangerous living space, especially for aging adults.

Why do seniors hoard?

In general, people tend to hoard because they have experienced great emotional distress, such as a loss, anxiety, or depression. They may hold onto their possessions as a way to cope with their feelings and hold onto memories from the past. Recent research has also found that patients with Alzheimer’s disease may be more prone to hoarding because they feel their memories will be lost without their physical possessions. Other factors, such as senior isolation and loneliness may also cause older adults to hoard.

How is hoarding treated?

Treating hoarding in seniors involves more than just disposing of their clutter. Talking to your loved one’s doctor about his or her hoarding tendencies is a good place to start, as some patients may be suffering from a more serious cognitive or psychological disorder that could be treated with therapy or medication.

If hoarding is affecting your loved one’s daily life, moving them to a senior living community is also a great way to give them a fresh start and help them downsize. Be patient and gentle when approaching downsizing with your senior loved one, because getting rid of their possessions will likely be painful and time-consuming. By understanding and recognizing the symptoms of hoarding, you can help your loved ones resist hoarding and live a more enjoyable, clutter-free life.

February is American Heart Health Month! Heart disease affects millions of Americans each year, especially older adults. The good news is that starting new, heart-healthy behaviors can greatly reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. If you’re looking for some structure and support to help launch a new heart-healthy lifestyle, consider joining an independent retirement community, which can connect you with like-minded older adults and resources that can help you succeed. Here are some ways a community can help contribute to a heart-healthy future:

1. Safety and security help you get plenty of sleep. Poor sleep patterns can affect your blood pressure and blood sugar, but sticking to a regular sleep schedule can dramatically improve your health. Older adults need at least eight hours of sleep per night. In order to get a restful night’s sleep, create a set sleep schedule and avoid caffeine in the afternoon. Those at independent retirement communities tend to have fewer worries about security, safety, and overall maintenance than those living on their own. This can help contribute to getting the sleep you need to stay healthy.

2. Exercise made easy. Just 30 minutes of moderate physical activity, three times a week can help protect against cardiovascular disease and other illnesses. In an independent retirement community, there are many ways to get exercise, whether it’s a trip to the on-site fitness center on your own, taking a group class, or taking advantage of the outdoor trails, which are perfect for walking, biking, or even a light jog. 

3. Social support comes with community. Decreasing stress and anxiety can help lower your risk for heart disease, and one way to reduce stress is by connecting with others through shared interests. Independent retirement communities organize a variety of group activities, such as continuing education classes, pet visits, book clubs, trips to the theater, and more! When you join one of these communities, new friends and activities are never more than a step away. That’s great for your social life, and your heart. 

4. Healthy eating habits. A proper diet can be the key to a healthy heart, but such a diet can be difficult to maintain when you’re cooking for yourself. Independent retirement communities make it easy to follow a heart-healthy diet by offering multiple dining options with nutritious, balanced, and appetizing meals served at times that are convenient for you. Many communities also have on-site nutritionists ready to help guide you toward healthier choices.

Are you concerned with the safety of older adults in your home? Maybe you have recently had a fall or accident in your home and are looking for ways to make your home safer. Home safety is an important topic in elder care, as many seniors want to live at home as long as possible.

This simple home safety checklist is a good way to get you thinking about the safety of your home – for yourself and your loved ones. Note that this checklist is not comprehensive, and is just meant to get you started in evaluating potential trouble areas in your home.

Living Room

• Is the carpet torn? Are there throw rugs? Fix any torn carpeting, as it could present a tripping hazard. Secure all throw rugs to ensure they stay in place.
• Does heavy furniture impede accessibility? Remove or reposition furniture so that it doesn’t block access to rooms and corridors.
• Is there enough lighting? Our eyesight tends to weaken as we age, so make sure there are enough overhead lights, or install more floor lamps to brighten dark corners.

Bathroom

• Can you or your loved one get into the tub, or is it too high? Install a new tub, or make sure there is an easily accessible shower on the main floor as well.
• Is the floor slick? Be sure there are bathmats inside the tub or shower and outside of it as well.
• Have grab bars been installed? Getting in and out of the tub or shower or up and down from the toilet will be much easier with grab bars installed.

Kitchen

• Is it easy to reach medications and other everyday items? Move common items to lower shelves, or install lower cabinets.
• Are the buttons on appliances easy to read and manipulate? Bigger knobs with clear labels can help seniors navigate the kitchen more easily.

Bedroom

• Is the bedroom cluttered? Clothing, books, and other loose items left on the floor can pose a tripping hazard. Be sure that all pathways in and out of the room are cleared.
• How sturdy is the furniture? Is the bed in good repair? Is it comfortable? Ensure that any furniture seniors rely on – especially for rest – provide good support.

Thoughts of retirement living often bring to mind long lazy days sipping lemonade on the porch or playing with the grandkids in the garden. But the truth is that seniors today have a variety of retirement living options. Here are some of the unconventional ways that seniors are spending their later years.

1. Shipboard life. Believe it or not, seniors have found living aboard a cruise ship to be a unique and even affordable retirement option. One retiree simply booked cruises one after another for over twelve years. Some have found that costs are comparable to higher-end retirement homes. It’s a great escape for seniors in good health who enjoy traveling and want to live maintenance-free in their later years.
2. Driving around the country – and getting paid for it. Many seniors are obliged to continue working to maintain their quality of life after they reach retirement age. But that doesn’t mean they have to give up on their dream of traveling during retirement. Many seniors – including senior couples – are taking to the roads as paid truck drivers. Not only do they get to see the country, and make their own schedules, but they get paid for it, too.
3. Shared housing. Studies have shown that those of us who maintain strong friendships and social ties live longer, healthier lives. That may be why more retirement living options are centered around shared housing and/or communities. Choosing to go-in with other seniors on housing options or joining a retirement community like Bethany Village isn’t just cost-effective, but also good for one’s health.
4. Niche retirement communities. What are you most passionate about? Golf? Art? Dance? More and more retirement communities are being created around shared interests. If you love to golf and want to spend your retirement with other like-minded people, you can choose a community built around a golf course. Artists’ colonies for seniors are also on the rise. There’s even a retirement community built exclusively for postal workers.
5. Volunteer lifestyle. In exchange for room and board, seniors are volunteering for non-profits and state and national parks. Many have found that it’s a fulfilling and affordable way to give back to their communities and see more of the country.

While none of these retirement living options may be right for you, it’s exciting to see that there are so many paths available to seniors today.

Nursing homes and assisted living facilities may sound similar, but there are some very important differences that you’ll want to keep in mind while researching the right living option
for you or a loved one. So, nursing home or assisted living… which is right for you? Here are some helpful definitions and tips:

Assisted Living Facility

These are facilities designed for older adults who can no longer live safely on their own, or who need a little extra help to perform everyday tasks. “Assisted” living is just what it sounds like, with staff on call who can help with medications, meals, and housekeeping duties to give seniors a better quality of life. At all times, resident space is respected to ensure that everyone can live with as much or as little assistance as they need.

Generally, staff are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year, to ensure the safety of the facility’s residents. Many facilities will also have set hours when licensed nurses are available. Assisted living facilities may also include social activities, on-site dining, laundry, and transportation services. Be sure to ask about the level of help and care you can expect from any assisted living facility you tour.

Nursing Homes

Seniors who require a very high level of medical care and around-the-clock assistance may be better served by a nursing home. Licensed nurses are available at all hours. These homes may also provide short-term care for those who need extra help while they recover from a long illness, injury, or major surgery.

Seniors who choose nursing homes often require very specialized care beyond routine assistance with daily needs. Residents may still enjoy collective dining and social activities as their condition allows.

So is an assisted living or nursing home right for you? It will depend greatly on your own personal condition or the condition of your loved one. Consulting with family, friends, and your physician to get their recommendations may assist you in making your decision.

As you’re settling in to enjoy this Valentine’s Day with your best beloved, we invite you to explore these romantic favorites suggested by our residents at Bethany Village. Happy Valentine’s Day!

1. City Lights (1931): As one would expect from an early romantic comedy, this one stars Hollywood legend Charlie Chaplin, who also wrote and directed the film. Virginia Cherrill plays the sightless flower girl who has captured the attention of a tramp. Enlisting the aid of a wealthy tippler, the tramp goes on a mission to collect money to help her.
2. Holiday (1938): Katherine Hepburn and Cary Grant star in this romantic comedy about a young man who falls for a girl from a rich family. This was the third of four movies that would star Hepburn and Grant due to their great chemistry.
3. Gone with the Wind (1939): Yes, it was 1939 when Gone with the Wind blew into theaters and captured our collective imaginations. Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable give breathtaking performances in a love affair as tumultuous as the Civil War that serves as this story’s backdrop.
4. Waterloo Bridge (1940): Fresh off her run in Gone with the Wind, Vivien Leigh stars as an out of work ballerina who – believing her fiancé to be dead in the war – turns to alternative means of survival. Leigh often said that of the 19 films she starred in during her 30-year career, this wartime romance-drama was her favorite.
5. Casablanca (1942): What’s a list of spectacular romance films without Casablanca? Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman give knock-out performances in this wartime drama. Fun fact: the “letters of transit” that motivate so many characters in this film are purely fictional. Screenwriter Joan Alison made them up for the film – they never existed in Vichy-controlled France.
6. Brief Encounter (1945): Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard star in this classic romantic drama about a woman who meets and falls in love with a man at a railway station café. They continue to meet at the café throughout their lives, even knowing that their love can never be.
7. Calendar Girl (1947): If you’re looking for a lesser-known film that’s also a good change of pace from doomed wartime romantic dramas, try Calendar Girl. This musical comedy features two young male friends who arrive in Greenwich Village in 1900 seeking their artistic fortunes. One falls for the girl next door, but she is much more interested in his best friend.

November is men’s health month, where we celebrate “Movember” to raise awareness for men’s health issues. Be sure to visit the Movember Foundation to learn more about how to support this initiative.

What are you doing to stay healthy? As we age, it becomes more important than ever to attend to matters of health. Here’s our top five health tips to help men stay fit in their 60’s and beyond. 

1. Embrace Social Activities: The benefits of social interaction are well documented for individuals of any age. Those who continue to maintain close friendships and interact socially live longer than those who do not. Social activities can also help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of mental health issues such as depression. It may also potentially reduce risk for dementia and cardiovascular disease. Regular social events like visiting a friend, having a group dinner, or participating in a regular card game or book club, can have far-reaching effects of your physical and mental well-being.
2. Engage your Mind: An active mind is just as important as an active body. With age comes a wealth of experience, and it can be tempting to say that we’re done learning. Yet it is the act of learning and engaging in new activities that helps keep our minds sharp as we age. Seek out mentally stimulating exercises to engage your mind, such as crossword puzzles, learning a new language, or picking up a new craft or skill. Many seniors choose to volunteer or take on part-time work, which can give mental, physical, and social benefits, too.
3. Stay Active: Staying active doesn’t have to mean training like an athlete, especially as you get older. A brisk walk, mowing the lawn, playing table tennis, gardening, lifting dumbbells, or swimming for just thirty minutes a day can make a difference. In fact, the biggest health gains are seen in those who go from sedentary to moderately active lifestyles. Regular activity can help you prevent muscle loss and accidents that could lead to injury.
4. Perform Regular Maintenance: When it comes to taking care of our homes or vehicles, we all understand the importance of regular maintenance. Regular checkups and preventative care is also vital to us as we age, too. After 60, there are a number of important exams that men should have regularly to ensure proper health. Staying on top of these appointments means you’re more likely to uncover any potential health issues long before it becomes a major problem. Stay up to date on your flu and pneumonia shots each year, and get regular cholesterol, hypertension and diabetes tests. Ask your doctor about prostate cancer screenings and be sure to schedule a colonoscopy every 10 years.
5. Kick Bad Habits: It’s never too late to enjoy the benefits of kicking a bad habit like smoking or excessive alcohol consumption. What you consume is also even more important for older adults. Eating a healthy diet can help you control blood pressure and reduce the risk of hypertension. As we age, our sense of taste and smell may change. Some medications also impact our sense of taste. You may find that foods which you previously enjoyed now cause stomach upset and should be avoided. Lactose intolerance – in which the body becomes unable to digest dairy products, resulting in painful cramps and stomach upset – is more common in seniors. Changing your diet to reflect changes in how your body reacts to food is important in maintaining overall health.