With the recent push on wellness, as well as the advances in technology, it’s not uncommon for adults of all ages to install apps on their smartphone or mobile device to increase their engagement in exercise. There are many apps available, with some geared more to older adults. You might want to check out the following: My Fitness Pal – gives you a place to track your daily intake of food and water, as well as your activities throughout the day Map My Walk – tracks how far you walk each day Daily Yoga or Pocket Yoga – both provide instructions on various poses, including videos Silver Sneaker ..read more

This past week saw the first day of fall. And when the first day of fall rolls around, so does the annual Falls Prevention Awareness Day, as designated by the National Council on Aging. But here’s the thing. For seniors, every day needs to be Fall Prevention Awareness Day. Why? Because of these numbers: One in four Americans aged 65+ falls each year Falls are the leading cause of trauma-related hospital admissions among older adults Falls result in more than 2.8 million injuries annually treated in emergency rooms, including more than 800,000 hospitalizations So there’s plenty of falling t ..read more

If you were to make a list of all the times you’ve heard someone say, “I simply can’t wait until I can move into a senior living community!” or “I simply can’t wait to have the conversation with my parent or grandparent about moving into a senior living community!”, how many pieces of paper would you need? Well, as the saying goes, between slim and none. And slim’s out of town. No one on either side ever looks forward to that conversation. People on the younger end of it don’t look forward to being on the other end of it. Still, for many, those talks are coming. They’re coming, and usually, th ..read more

There is no specific telltale sign to watch for when it comes to considering assisted living for yourself, or more likely, a loved one. It’s more commonly a series of changes that become increasingly evident over a period of time. The main considerations are safety for the senior and relieving anxiety for the family, uncertain if their loved one remains capable of living on their own. Forgetting where the cell phone is isn’t an issue limited to seniors and isn’t necessarily a cause for concern. But forgetting what a cell phone is used for certainly would be. Here are some signs that may indica ..read more

There a few things that February is known for such as Valentine’s Day, Black History Month and President’s Day. But did you know that February is also National Senior Independence Month? National Senior Independence Month is a time for seniors to celebrate life and their continued independence. Whether you or a loved one is living at home or as a member of a retirement community, National Senior Independence month offers a great opportunity to reflect on current lifestyles. Use this month to evaluate living situations highlighting any strengths and weaknesses that could use some adjustments to ..read more

Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants are vital team members in helping individuals participate in the activities they want and need to do every day. Occupational therapy helps individuals of all ages live life the fullest and helps those with injury, illness, or disability conquer everyday tasks. Occupational therapists are vital in: Helping an individual who experienced a car accident, is recovering from injury, and needs help to regain skills Helping school children with disabilities to participate in class full, school activities, and social functions Helping a strok ..read more

Valentine’s Day is a day to celebrate friendship, companionship, and love. It is a day to celebrate new love or a love that has endured decades. It is the perfect time to remind loved ones how much you mean to one another and how you enjoy having them as part of your life. For seniors, Valentine’s Day can be one full of thoughtful memories of them and their spouse and potential loneliness for those that have lost someone close to them. If a loved one has indeed lost a spouse this day could be difficult for them and can foster emotions of loneliness and sadness. That is why it is important to s ..read more

Cedarhurst is growing! Join us for the following events: Sunday, December 3 | 12 – 3pm | Cedarhurst of Shiloh Independent Living Cottages Open House $250 Visa Gift Card Raffle Come visit our beautiful Independent Living Cottages 618-622-9890 Wednesday, December 6 | 11am – 1pm | Cedarhurst of Centralia Memory Care Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Flag Raising Ceremony Lunch, Drinks, Giveaways, Raffle Attendance Prizes, Tours and Music 618-918-3764 Friday, December 15 | 1 – 3pm | Cedarhurst of Sparta Memory Care Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Appetizers and Refreshments b ..read more

Did you ever make homemade ice cream in a bag? We did..and it turned out delicious! This simple recipe is great for summer! Ingredients: Ice Cubes 1 Cup Half and Half 1/2 Cup Kosher Salt 2 Tablespoons Sugar 1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract Favorite Ice Cream Toppings Items Needed: 1 sandwich size ziplock bag 1 gallon-size ziplock bag Directions: Mix the half and half, sugar, and vanilla extract in the sandwich bag and seal tightly. Fill the gallon bag half way with ice cubs and sprinkle a layer of salt on top of the ice. Put the sandwich bag with ingredients inside the gallon bag of ice and seal ..read more

With the hot summer months in the Midwest, it is important to know the health risks that are associated with heat and sun for seniors. It is very important to check on seniors – loved ones, neighbors and friends – frequently in the summer months to ensure their safety during this time of year. Summertime should be a great time for all; it’s fun in the sun and time to enjoy the outdoor activities with friends and family. It is important to note that seniors do not feel the heat the same as those who are younger. As we age, the ability to perspire decreases, making it harder to keep cool which i ..read more