7 Ways To Beat This Heat
Have most of you basically melted into a puddle by this point? Because we have. With temperatures frequently topping 100 degrees in the last couple of weeks here at our retirement community West Columbia, SC it is safe to say it’s officially summer in the south. While the hot temperatures definitely make for some fun days out at the lake, beach or pool, it’s also important to know how you can keep yourself safe in this heat. Check out the Top 7 Ways to beat the Heat and Say Cool During the Summer, according to lifehacker.com: 1) Know your body’s best cooling points If you’re trapped in the heat and aren’t able to find a cooler place, then you can apply an ice pack, or cold towel to your cooling points. This can include wrists, forehead, etc. By knowing your cooling points, you’ll be able to cool yourself off faster and more effectively. 2) Keep your room cool Sleeping in the heat is the absolute worst because it often prevents you from getting the proper rest that you need in order to function the next day. Try closing off your bedroom door to keep the air in or maybe even getting a box fan to circulate more cool air. 3) Exercise comfortably Try to get a gym membership and avoid exercising in the heat. But if that’s not something that is possible, try to exercise early in the day before the hottest temperatures set in. There are some great alternative exercises such as swimming and various other water sports that can definitely get the job done. 4) Avoid eating hot foods Eating anything hot will only amplify the effects of the heat. 5) Get a portable fan 6) Take precautions to avoid excessive sweat There are tricks you can use to counter excessive sweating. You can try putting on deodorant the night before. Your sweat glands are more active in the morning which causes your deodorant to be less effective. 7) Drink more water We tend to sweat a lot more in the summer so it is important to stay hydrated. To be safe, you should follow the 8 by 8 rule which states that you should drink eight 8-ounce glasses of fluid a day. If water isn’t your favorite, try to add some flavor packets to make it taste better. ** Also, another way to boost your hydration is by eating foods that have a high water content. Raw foods are great for the summer, especially berries which happen to be readily available this time of year. Some great options are: Strawberries Cucumbers Courgettes Celery Lettuce Melon We hope you enjoyed this article and found it useful to help keep you comfortable this summer season!
4 Reasons Why Your Kids May Not Want You To Move to an “Old Folks Home”
Let’s say you’ve seen all that Still Hopes Retirement Community West Columbia, SC has to offer. Maybe your friends who moved here years ago had you over to the campus for a concert and dinner. Or you may have been coming to the Still Hopes pool for years while getting a glimpse of the lifestyle here from residents in your swim class. Or maybe you’ve even booked a tour and learned all about the countless activities and amenities. Or maybe, you are just tired of cleaning your house, changing the batteries in your smoke detectors, mowing the lawn, or trying to locate the leak from your roof. And you’d rather spend your whole day playing golf, reading a book, enjoying nature, and joining in on clubs and activities with your peers. These may be all the reasons why you are ready to move to Still Hopes, or some other continuing care retirement community (CCRC). But before you call the moving company, you just need to break the news to the kids. Get ready. They may not be on board. And you might hear any of the following objections (and what they really mean): “You don’t need an old folks home” (I am in denial that you are aging). Suggested response: I need socialization, not the isolation that I currently experience in my home. I want to live in a vibrant community that will be engaging and meaningful, that I can enjoy with my peers. Not to mention, Still Hopes and other CCRCs (also called “life plan communities”) aren’t an “old folks home.” Your kids might be thinking exclusively of skilled nursing homes, and while there is certainly a component of that in communities where the continuum of care is one of the benefits, most people make the move to a CCRC to enjoy all of the amenities that it has to offer in a beautiful setting among other older adults. Ask any of the residents and they’ll almost always tell you, they wish they’d moved sooner. “It’s too expensive” (You’re spending my inheritance). Suggested response: Why don’t we go through a financial cost comparison worksheet before I make my decision. Most kids aren’t thinking about what their parents stand to gain. They shouldn’t write it off before they have a chance to evaluate whether or not it’s affordable. And most people are surprised to learn that many CCRC resident contracts are often called “wealth preservation” because a portion of it can be refundable back to the estate, depending on the contract terms. “I can take care of you if you get sick” (Family takes care of its own). Suggested response: I want to be your parent, not your patient. It sounds nice when an adult child makes the offer, but how many really have the time, energy, and emotional resources to be the caregiver for their parent? This objection may come from a place of love, but it is certainly not rooted in reality. If the adult child has children of their own, plans to take vacations, works full-time, or just enjoys their free time in general, having a parent whose health suddenly changes can become a burden they weren’t counting on. 70-percent of people turning 65 will need some type of long-term care services in their lifetime. Caring for a sick parent can be a 24/7 job and the caregiver can’t come and go as they please. Even if they have organized in-home care, being the point person is a huge responsibility. Making the decision to move to a CCRC is a gift to the child, as well as the parent, allowing them to maintain a healthy relationship with boundaries. Why would you sell our childhood home? (“I am afraid of change”). Suggested response: I’ll give you the first right of refusal - you can buy it yourself and turn it into a museum. Just kidding, of course. But you may want to point out that the home has served its purpose. You’ve raised a family there and it’s time to put yourself ahead of the house. There are costs associated with the upkeep of homes, whether it’s a new roof, a new heating system, or a new coat of paint. Or you can do it all yourself but that’s usually not feasible as you continue to age. Let’s face it. Your child’s opinion is definitely worth a lot. But life, on your own terms, is priceless. Want to have a longer discussion? Still Hopes is happy to sit down with both parents and adult children to talk about all their options. Call Stewart Rawson, Director of Marketing, at 803-739-5040 to schedule an appointment or simply complete our contact form.
3 Ways To A Healthier You This New Year
3 Ways to a Healthier You this New Year at our Retirement Community West Columbia, SC! 1) Drink More Water We tend to not drink enough water throughout the day. Try drinking a glass of water with each meal. Also drink water before, during, and after exercise. 2) Be Mindful Take some time for meditation. Find some time throughout the day to clear your head and relax. Some ways to do this are to partake in classes such as Yoga or Tai Chi. 3) Start Walking Try walking at least 30 minutes a day. Bad knees? No problem, find an indoor pool for your walk. - Taylor Hall, Still Hopes' Fitness Program Coordinator (If you would like to talk to Taylor personally about making Still Hopes' Wellness Center part of your wellness plan, give him a call at 803-223-6177) Experience an active retirement lifestyle on your own accord. As a Continuing Care Retirement Community, and the area’s first Life Plan Community in West Columbia, SC, Still Hopes offers an engaged and enjoyable senior adult community for the greater Columbia area. Our campus is continually adding new activities and offerings at the request of our wonderful residents. Learn how to play a new instrument at our retirement community. Paint your next masterpiece. Spend weekends with friends and family. Engage in a spiritual Bible study. Savor the variety at four unique dining venues on campus. Build strength and social ties in our Wellness Center. Plan your days exactly how you like them. Live the active retirement you want in an independent, maintenance-free environment without worrying about the tedious responsibilities.
YourTour through Still Hopes Offers Convenience and Personalization for Prospective Residents
While many communities have halted tours during COVID, incoming and prospective residents at Still Hopes retirement community in West Columbia, SC have been able to not only tour our facility, and all of its amenities, but they could even visit inside available apartments and cottages, and visualize a three-dimensional floor plan layout, all without ever leaving their own home. It’s all made possible through a technology platform called YourTour that Still Hopes has recently implemented. Guided by a community marketing representative, YourTour is designed to allow the prospective resident to visually explore the Still Hopes campus, answering many of their questions before ever stepping foot on the property. “Our prospective residents are now more savvy than ever, partly because of COVID forcing them to harness technology for everything from socializing on Zoom to ordering groceries,” said Stewart Rawson, Director of Sales and Marketing. “It only makes sense that they would want to take a virtual tour of Still Hopes and learn more about the residence options and amenities that will help them understand all that Still Hopes has to offer.” YourTour by The Vectre allows prospective residents to receive their very own personalized tour through photos and videos of the Still Hopes lifestyle, 360-degree virtual tours of the campus amenities and select residences, and 3D floor plans of residential options. Based on their interests, they can see what amenities are offered that fit their desired lifestyle, whether it’s the dining venues, fitness center, walking trails, the coffee shop, the pub and club room, the chapel, etc. They can then find out what residences are in close proximity to those amenities, and receive floor plans and pictures for the available residences. This feature has been especially useful at the Greenway at Still Hopes supportive living neighborhoods, where COVID restrictions have been most rigorously observed. “During COVID, in-person tours have been suspended. Residents and their families wanted to be able to have a game plan of how they will see each other after moving in,” said Ellen Williams, Greenway Marketing Relations Specialist. “With YourTour, I can even zoom in on common space areas open to visitation in relation to their loved one’s room. Williams continued, “Many loved ones have concerns about accessibility for the resident and feel comforted when they realized through YourTour how the neighborhoods are designed with ease of mobility in mind. The floor plan designs of these buildings were not made by mistake – the Memory Care area in Rose Gardens was designed for wandering; the centralized amenities in River Banks Assisted Living were designed for preserving mobility and stamina; and the Skilled Nursing neighborhoods in Jane Bruce’s small ‘household model’ layout promotes comfortable and natural living spaces with the added bonus of infection control.” And even with some COVID restrictions beginning to lift, Still Hopes will continue to use YourTour as a first-step to orient anyone interested in learning more about the Still Hopes community. They can learn about the lifestyle, amenities and floor plans early in the process, and narrow down exactly what they are looking for. The whole tour can be done in less than an hour on a Zoom call or even during a home visit - saving the prospective resident time and a lot of hassle. The next step for a prospective resident’s tour experience is to receive a YourTour personalized online brochure with the prospective resident’s favorite floor plans and amenities. Still Hopes will soon be able to offer this technology to their prospective residents so they can share it with their family and friends. For more information or to take your own YourTour, you can submit a contact form to tour the Independent Living areas with Stewart Rawson or call 803-739-5040. To take your own YourTour of the Greenway Supportive Living neighborhoods, submit this contact form or call Ellen Williams at 803-995-8075.
"You're A Little Closer To Heaven In A Cabin In The Woods"
“You’re a little closer to Heaven in a cabin in the woods.” – Unknown Whoever wrote those words above certainly knew what they were talking about. One week ago, a group of Still Hopes Nursing Home in West Columbia, SC residents had the pleasure of visiting a slice of Heaven in Cameron, South Carolina. The destination was a cabin built in 1905 that holds a very special place in the heart of Pat Holman , who is a Still Hopes resident. That is because Pat’s husband, Bob, was born in that very cabin in 1925. Sadly, Bob’s father passed away a few short years after Bob was born, so Bob and his mother were not able to live in the cabin for very long. However, the Lord brought the cabin back to Bob in the early 1970s. By that time, Bob and Pat were married, and the folks who owned the cabin called Bob to see if he would be interested in getting the cabin back. Bob said “Yes,yes, yes!” and the Holmans had the cabin picked up and moved to some property they owned in Cameron, South Carolina. This is where the cabin stands today. Bob did have a bottom floor built on to the original cabin to raise the original cabin up and give him more space to store things. “He was a collector. You never knew what you would find in there” laughs Pat. Though the Holmans never lived in the cabin full time, Pat loves her memories of spending free time up there in the woods. “We spent many happy hours out there. We would take a picnic lunch when the children were little” says Pat. In front of the cabin sits a pond that if fully stocked with fish, and was a great source of happiness for Bob and his friends when they wanted to go fishing. In total, the property on which the cabin sits is 192 acres. Though Bob is no longer with us, Pat still smiles when she talks about the cabin. “It was something we could do for my husband, who grew up without a home. So it was wonderful for him. It’s nothing fine but it’s there. It’s been great to have it.” says Pat. The residents who visited the cabin one week ago certainly felt it’s magic and all agreed that the cabin in the woods certainly feels like a slice of heaven. Thank you, Pat, for sharing your special place with us!
Why Now is the Time to Make the Move to Still Hopes
The highly-anticipated HopeWell Apartments at Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement Community West Columbia opened its doors to new residents in the spring, and already availability is very limited... and only within select floor plans. The Devereaux floor plan is available in just two apartments, the Trenholm floor plan only has two left, and the spacious Assembly floor plan has only one apartment available. Virtual tours for the Devereaux and Trenholm floor plans can be found on the respective link for each floor plan. This may seem surprising, given that we are in a tumultuous time. So we sat down with some residents to get their perspective about why they chose to make the move to Still Hopes within the last six months. Instead of citing their hesitation during COVID-19, the pandemic was much of the reason WHY they chose to move now. Safety measures implemented by Still Hopes, the fact that we led the way in early vaccinations, and the feeling of “life back to normal” within the community were among the reasons why they say now is the time to make the move. Check out their interview below. To see more videos about Still Hopes and learn the latest news, follow them on Facebook or the news section of the website. To learn more about the community, or to schedule a tour of the remaining Hopewell Apartments, contact the marketing department. Stewart Rawson, Director of Sales and Marketing, would be happy to help you find your new residence here at Still Hopes!
Why You May Want To Hold Off on Spring Fever
Oh my goodness, the sun is out at Still Hopes Retirement Home West Columbia, SC! How we have missed our gorgeous blue skies. The sunshine immediately gets your mind in Spring mode and may have you wanting to get out in the yard. After all, what is happier and more vibrant than a bed of tulips to welcome Spring? However, you may want to hold off for just a little bit longer. Chris Spearen, Still Hopes’ Landscape Supervisor, has some advice on when you should start thinking about your planting, and why good things come to those who wait. “One thing to consider is that March is a little too early to plant your spring vegetables and flowers.” says Chris. “Historically, for this region, you want to hold off on planting your warm season plants until the second week in April. Here in the midlands of South Carolina we are always susceptible to a late freeze or frost, which might damage or even kill warm season vegetables and flowers. Another reason to hold off on planting is that even if we don’t get a late winter/early spring frost, the ground temperatures remain relatively cold until mid to late spring. Many folks think that planting early will give their gardens a head start, where in the reality of the situation, even if we don’t get a frost, these crops are more or less going to sit there, without putting out much growth, until the soil temperatures warm.” he says. Great advice from someone who keeps Still Hopes’ grounds looking beautiful all year long! So perhaps until April, you can just daydream about what you want to plant this year, and count down the days until we see many of our favorite flowered friends again.
You Care For Others, Now Care For Yourself
The following article was submitted by Lydia Chan, who is an Alzheimer's Caregiver herself. We hope you enjoy her perspective on this topic. You Care For Others, Now Care For Yourself Looking out for the well-being of another person is a rewarding yet exhausting job, even at our senior living West Columbia, SC. Whether you are an adult child caring for a senior parent or a paid personal medical assistant, you have to take time to care for yourself as well. Not doing so can lead to caregiver burnout, which shares many of the same symptoms as depression, including fatigue and feelings of hopelessness. But remember, you have the tools to give your body and mind what they need to relax and recharge — all you have to do is use them. So, keep reading for a few simple strategies you can employ to include yourself in your daily care ritual starting today. Make Healthy Eating a Priority Neglecting your own nutrition is probably something you do without realizing it. When you’re caring for someone else, you spent a lot of time preparing their meals, feeding them, and cleaning up. If their diet is different than your own, you probably choose to grab whatever’s fast and easy so that you don’t have to make two dinners. But that’s not doing anything to improve or maintain your health. Instead of the chips and dip, do yourself a favor and plan a few make-ahead meals that you can heat and eat no matter how hectic things become. Get Moving It should go without saying, but exercise is important. It is easy to forget this fundamental truth when you are wrapped up in someone else’s wellness. However, keep in mind, according to Genesis Health Clubs, that exercise can promote restorative sleep and pumps a direct injection of natural mood-boosting hormones into your brain. If the thought of joining a gym is intriguing but intimidating, you should know that you don’t have to engage in structured activities. Swimming, walking, and bicycling are great alternatives. If you happen to be over the age of 65 and already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you may already have access through the SilverSneakers program, which provides no-cost fitness classes and gym memberships. (Medicare Advantage is a Medicare alternative issued through major insurers like Humana) Take a Vitamin While supplements are not a replacement for a healthy diet and exercise, a high-quality multi can, according to Plexus, “make a big difference in your daily energy level.” By filling in nutritional gaps, you can improve your health from your gut outward. Depending on your nutritional deficit, regularly taking vitamins might improve everything from your skin and hair to your ability to concentrate on mundane tasks. Talk to your doctor before adding any new supplements, as some vitamins may interact with prescription medications. Reconnect Socially Socialization, including spending time with friends and family, is crucial to your mental health. It’s understandable if you don’t want to leave your loved one, but there is nothing wrong with bringing in a respite caregiver to take care of things while you take a break. When it’s not possible to bring in some help, keep in mind that social connections can also improve the self-esteem and quality of life of the person for whom you provide care. In other words, don’t be afraid to take them with you or include them in at-home gatherings. In honor of National Family Caregivers Month and National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month, challenge yourself to do more for you. Small acts, like eating well and surrounding yourself with friends and family, can enable you to be a better caregiver. Self-care is challenging when you devote so much of your time to someone else, but it’s worth it. Image via Pexels
Why Facebook May Be A Great Addition To Your Life
Do you have children or grandchildren you would like to keep up with here at our Senior Living West Columbia, SC? Would you like to see their photos from that amazing beach vacation they just took or photos from your grandchild’s graduation ceremony? Then Facebook may be a great thing for you to try. Facebook is also a great tool to learn more about topics that interest you, keep up with promotional opportunities from your favorite brands, news and events happening in the area, or even start an online business. Not to mention, it can be very entertaining. If you aren’t aware of what Facebook is, it’s a social networking site that allows you to share photos, videos and status updates with your friends. “Status update” is basically just a fancy way of saying that you can tell everyone what you are up to. According to Hootsuite, over 2.2 billion people log into Facebook every month, so there is a good chance your loved ones use Facebook frequently. And if you think you are “too old” for Facebook, don’t worry. The number of Facebook users over the age of 65 makes up over 40% of the total number of Facebook users, so you would be in great company! If you would like to create a Facebook account, here are some steps to do so according to Facebook’s Help Center: 1) Go to www.facebook.com/r.php 2) Enter your name, email or mobile phone number, password, date of birth, and gender 3) Click Sign Up 4) To finish creating your account, you need to confirm your email or mobile phone number. (A message will be sent to either your email address or mobile phone and you just click Verify or Confirm”) And that’s it! The possibilities with Facebook are endless and we hope you consider using this fun tool.
Why Choosing a Continuing Care Retirement Community Could Lead to a Longer, Healthier Life
Recent findings from the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care (NIC) provide compelling evidence for the benefits of residing in Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs). As revealed in a study, seniors living in CCRCs like Still Hopes not only live longer but also enjoy a better quality of life compared to those who choose to stay at home. Here's how a move to a CCRC might be the key to a longer and healthier life. Lower Mortality Rates and Increased Longevity One of the standout findings from the NIC study is that mortality rates for CCRC residents are significantly lower than for the general population. This data aligns with the research highlighted in NIC’s recent article, underscoring the health benefits of community living for seniors. Residents of CCRCs live longer than those in other senior living settings, including standalone assisted living and independent living environments. Fewer Hospital Visits and Rehabilitative Needs The study also noted that CCRC residents spend less time in hospitals and require fewer home health visits, indicating not only fewer medical issues but also a faster recovery from any health events that do occur. Furthermore, CCRC residents are less likely to need rehabilitative services, suggesting a lower incidence of severe health events that require intensive post-care. The Still Hopes Advantage At Still Hopes, we provide a vibrant and supportive environment that enhances the lives of our residents. Our comprehensive care offerings and robust wellness programs ensure that every resident has the opportunity to maintain their health in a community that cares deeply about their well-being. Our state-of-the-art Wellness Center, which is open to all residents, plays a pivotal role in promoting physical health and fitness. Additionally, we tailor our health care services to meet the individual needs of each resident, ranging from minimal support to advanced medical care, contributing to fewer hospital stays and a significantly enhanced quality of life. A Life of Wellness and Community Choosing a CCRC like Still Hopes means opting for a lifestyle that supports not only longevity but also the quality of life. The findings from the NIC study are clear: living in a CCRC leads to a life characterized by better health outcomes, less medical intervention, and more joyful, active years. It’s about more than just adding years to life—it’s about adding life to those years. To learn more about how Still Hopes can help you or your loved one live a longer, healthier life, visit our About Us page or contact us directly to discuss how we can meet your retirement living needs.
We Are Still Hopes: Moving Forward Together Beyond Tough Times
HopeWell at Still Hopes: The Time to Move is Now
In the past year at Still Hopes Retirement Community West Columbia, SC, we’ve heard horror stories of isolation and neglect among older adults living either in nursing homes or in their own homes. And for those communities who have effectively and safely navigated Covid, there is the false assumption that those residents must have been quarantined for nearly a year. That’s why Nela Edgar’s friend was shocked to see her out at her favorite grocery store in Columbia last summer, under the misperception that Nela, a resident of Still Hopes, was in isolation under lockdown. Nela and her husband, Walter, moved to Still Hopes in June 2019. And while life outside of Still Hopes has drastically changed for many older adults this past year, Nela and Walter’s lifestyle has remained predominantly unchanged, thanks to the numerous amenities Still Hopes has to offer. So this begs the question, is now the right time to move to Still Hopes? Despite the tendency to “hunker down” and wait out Covid, many residents including the Edgars would say the time is definitely now. “Of course, everyone here takes it seriously. We are all like-minded at Still Hopes and feel a responsibility to keep our community safe and well,” said Nela. “But the main reason is... I am glad we moved while we are relatively healthy and can still get involved and enjoy it.” Stewart Rawson, Director of Sales and Marketing at Still Hopes Retirement Community in West Columbia, SC agrees. “I often hear, wow, I wish I had done that sooner,” said Rawson. “You get to a certain age where you are ready to get rid of the hassles of homeownership and the fears of ‘what if’... so you can focus on an enriching lifestyle among a community of friends.” Four years ago, Still Hopes had a high demand that couldn’t keep up with the supply. So they started planning construction on a new independent living apartment building called HopeWell (previously called WellPointe), providing 80 new apartments that are filling up fast. Two of those apartments are already reserved by friends of the Edgars, who have not held back on sharing the joys of embracing their maintenance-free and full lives with family and friends. “Our son-in-law walked in and saw our vaulted ceilings and said to Walter, ‘how are you going to change those lightbulbs?’ Walter’s response was ‘I’m not’,” Nela laughed. “We’ll just put in a work order and it will be taken care of.” “Every prospective owner I meet with admits a weariness and frustration with taking care of a house,” said Rawson. “Painting, a new roof, cleaning the gutters, changing the water filter, cleaning your toilets, yard work - it never goes away. At Still Hopes, all of that is taken care of for you so you can enjoy really living.” Nela’s husband, Walter, likes to garden and she occasionally likes to cook. But neither have to do either. Nela said she has a friend who has never even turned on her oven. Rawson and Nela describe a day in the life of a typical resident. Go to the coffee shop for a muffin in the morning with friends, then walk down to the wellness center for a morning swim or a workout. Take a forest or garden walk, or peruse the monthly events calendar for the day’s movies, lectures, a bible study or an art class. And in the evening, grab a bottle of wine and dinner from the dining room - with impressive and ever-changing meals - including lobster rolls, ahi tuna poke or fried chicken. But there is so much more to Still Hopes, like the overwhelmingly warm and welcoming community of residents and staff that, according to Nela, knew them by first name within a week of moving here. Or the concierge physician who is available exclusively to Still Hopes residents. “There are so many medical and health resources available to residents. Along with having access to a Still Hopes concierge physician and nursing staff, workshops and lectures addressing healthy living topics are also available. Not to mention, we are in some of the earliest phases to receive a Covid vaccine,” said Rawson. “We’re continuing to improve the quality of our physical spaces and adding amenities all the time.” Rawson says they plan to start moving dozens of new residents within the next few weeks into the HopeWell building. And there is limited availability throughout other residences within the community. “We can counsel you based on your interests and your lifestyle to find the most appropriate residential option that fits both your financial well being and your lifestyle,” said Rawson. "But our residents tell the story best, so I encourage you to watch the video below." To learn more, explore the interactive map through our Virtual Visit, read about the Still Hopes lifestyle and amenities, take a virtual tour of several HopeWell floor plans, and get all your questions answered by Rawson and his team.