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.
An Update After Hurricane Florence
We are grateful to report that Still Hopes Senior Living Columbia, SC remains relatively untouched by Hurricane Florence. Early last week, a sudden shift in the storm’s path made it appear that Florence would be heading straight for Columbia after hitting the Carolina coast. This information made the Still Hopes leadership team spring into action and we feel as though we were very prepared should the storm have hit us with more strength. As always, our top priority was our residents and ensuring they would have support around the clock. A Command Center was set up in our Keenan Event Center, and this served as our home base during our storm preparations. We constantly had the news on our televisions, along with important storm information and contact numbers posted to the walls. Key staff were ready to stay on campus as long as the potential storm endured to ensure each of our residents received proper care and attention during the storm. We kept in contact with all of our Independent Living residents, encouraging them to have the proper emergency supplies on hand, but assuring them we would be here to meet any of their needs. The staff in our licensed areas were ready to implement any emergency protocols needed, and we are touched by the dedication everyone showed last week. Again, we are grateful we only seemed to get some rain and wind. We know others along the coast were not so fortunate, losing loved ones and their homes. Our prayers are with them and all who were touched by Hurricane Florence.
A Trip Down Memory (Hall): Heathwood Hall Family Reunites at Still Hopes
Hints of blue and green scattered throughout the Keenan Events Center may not strike most people as significant or something worth acknowledging. For attendees of the Heathwood Hall Alumni Celebration Hour, however, those same colors are reminiscent of the formative and unforgettable years spent at the beloved Episcopal school as a student, parent, grandparent, faculty member, or friend. On July 22nd, guests were able to come together to reflect on their shared and personal memories of their time at Heathwood Hall, whether they graduated in 1965 or 2005. The event was especially important to residents of Still Hopes, so many of whom learned or taught there themselves. Some even proudly represented their ties to the Highlander family by donning branded t-shirts or pins displaying the faces of loved ones who were student-athletes. Appreciation that Spans Generations Head of School, Chris Hinchey, put the love and dedication that members of the community feel into words as he addressed visitors and Still Hopes residents. As he presented, he spoke about his unlikely journey from his longstanding educational career in Connecticut to new horizons in Columbia, South Carolina. From the moment of arrival at Heathwood, Hinchey experienced an overwhelming sense that he had entered into a special place. Today, his own children echo this sentiment as they continue to pursue their own educational endeavors at the school. A Bridge Between Past and Present While many items within the Keenan Center showcased the Heathwood Hall name and logo, none of them stood out quite like the framed, white t-shirt complete with blue "Heathwood Hall Episcopal School" text and an illustration of the original Heath Mansion. While the mansion was torn down in 1975, this small piece of the school's history from 1972, donated by the David F. Ford II Family, is cherished by just about anyone who knows the rich beginnings and history of the school. The shirt itself is a symbolic reminder of how much things change while also staying the same. Although Heathwood has seen decades of classes come through its halls, countless members of those classes have been able to meet up in places like Still Hopes to reminisce about a place that Highlanders of all ages call a second home. About Guest Writer, Kylie Walker: Kylie Walker is a senior English major and Government/Law minor at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania. This summer, she is interning with the Still Hopes Communications Department.
True Community: A Letter from Danny Sanford
On July 20th, the Still Hopes community gathered in Keenan Event Center for our annual Still Hopes' Got Talent Show. Sixteen acts spent weeks preparing for their moment in the spotlight, then, Showtime! A large crowd of residents and staff cheered as friends and teammates showcased their talents. It was a wonderful afternoon. In the show’s early moments, the audience enjoyed a simple, but beautiful act performed by The Rose Gardens Memory Care "Fireflies." In the show’s final moments, they elected the “Fireflies” the crowd favorite and unanimously awarded them the People’s Choice Award. This is Still Hopes’ President and CEO, Danny Sanford’s reflection on the deeper meaning of that moment, what is says about the deep and abiding community of Still Hopes, and how that spirit of community is the true spirit of Still Hopes.
Take Me Out To The Ball Game
Does anything go more perfectly with late Spring than baseball? After today, we certainly don’t think so. A group of our residents at Still Hopes Retirement Community West Columbia, SC had the pleasure of visiting Spirit Communications Park this afternoon to catch a Fireflies baseball game. The weather was perfect and the company was just the same. Everyone had a great time chatting, munching on peanuts and hot dogs, and just enjoying watching the game. We even had our own special seating section and a shout out on the big board! The Fireflies ended up winning 4-0, so that made everything even sweeter. Everyone agreed this would certainly need to be a trip we make again very soon. Go Fireflies! Home is an integral aspect to life. At Still Hopes Retirement Community West Columbia, SC, our private apartments and spacious cottages are customized to your lifestyle and personality. What results is peace, relaxation, and absolute enjoyment. With open floor plans and lush outdoor areas, our apartments are central to our senior adult activities and events. Beautiful cottages with two-car garages and colorful landscaping line our community’s cozy neighborhood streets. Our Continuing Care Retirement Community CCRC West Columbia, SC allows you to have an optimal health plan right at home. Let us take care of the chores, landscaping, and home maintenance, and flourish in the resort-style senior living free of stress and worry. Still Hopes isn’t like home—it is home, but better.
Tiny Anchors
Still Hopes residents are vibrant and staying positive, despite being a year and a half into the Covid pandemic like the rest of the world. So Stephanie Parker, Still Hopes’ Director of Public Relations, wanted to know their secret. She learned from a podcast about “Tiny Anchors” - little events, routines, or rituals that provided a sense of comfort during troubling times. She asked the Still Hopes residents what their “Tiny Anchors” are, and received an overwhelming response! These responses seemed to follow three themes… family and friends, finding fun in the little things, and above all… faith. Retirement Community West Columbia SC. Family and Friends While many senior living communities in Columbia, SC were on complete lockdown, Still Hopes residents and staff managed to get creative, allowing for social distancing opportunities that balanced safety with fun. Many residents were grateful for those times and being able to see their neighbors, friends and the staff on a daily basis. Some residents took advantage of the opportunity that quarantine allowed them to develop the frequent habit of FaceTiming with children and grandchildren in other parts of the United States. Sally W. socialized with family and friends at every opportunity. She said, “Our most joyful anchor was the chance to FaceTime with our four boys and their families. Another tiny anchor was time that we were blessed to spend with my sister, sister-in-law and husband at Still Hopes. Another was to be able to walk in the park at Still Hopes. Another was to play bridge on a computer with our friends.” Fun: Exploring hobbies and skills Grabbing books from the Still Hopes library, developing a green thumb, sewing masks, knitting, writing letters, and other hobbies were some of the tiny anchors many residents wrote about. They rediscovered hobbies and developed new skills, sometimes inviting friends and family to join in. Carolyn G. wrote, “I have enjoyed needlepoint for many years. With all the activities at Still Hopes, I have not done needlepoint often. I have enjoyed getting back to it and am excited to complete a new canvas to display in my apartment.” Faith Perhaps the biggest of the “tiny anchors” is the faith among Still Hopes residents. Many wrote in saying they engaged in daily prayer. Sara D. even started reading the Bible cover-to-cover. Developing a stronger faith during difficult times is not uncommon. According to the Pew Research Center, the U.S. leads countries in strengthened faith during Covid. Cynthia M. put it best, “My tiny anchor is actually my Big Anchor. My faith in Jesus Christ and the fact that HE is in control of everything is what keeps me comforted during trials.” Margaret P. agrees and shared that her favorite Bible verses were among her tiny anchors. “ ‘I can do all things with Christ who strengthens me!’ And ‘this is the day the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it!’ And a strong cup of coffee every morning!“ Click to learn more about the Still Hopes lifestyle to see how our residents spend their time, in and out of the pandemic.
Still Hopes Utilizing Outdoor Visitation To Reunite Loved Ones
The global pandemic we are all currently navigating has certainly made many of us re-evaluate the things we previously took for granted. Being able to see loved ones in person is certainly an item at the top of people’s minds as the months away from each other become longer and longer. However, as of October 7, 2020, Still Hopes has been thrilled to be able to offer outdoor visitation for all of our licensed neighborhoods. These include our Skilled Nursing neighborhoods, Assisted Living neighborhood, Memory Care neighborhood, and Rehabilitation neighborhood. Since the beginning of October, Still Hopes Retirement Community West Columbia, SC has had almost 100 visits, which take place at the outdoor visitation stations on our campus. To say the reunions have been touching would be a vast understatement. “Having outdoor visitation at Still Hopes has been such a blessing. It is so emotional seeing families reunited after not being able to be physically close for months. While everyone is very grateful for Still Hopes’ efforts to keep residents safe during the pandemic, we are even more grateful for their patience and support. We will all continue to walk down this road together, but we are thrilled to be able to offer outdoor visitation as an option for our residents and loved ones.” says Nikki Robertson, Still Hopes’ Director of Health Services. If you are interested in scheduling an outdoor visit with a resident of our licensed neighborhoods, please visit stillhopes.org/covid-19 and click on the document titled “Outdoor Visitation Guidelines with Visitor Consent Form”
