Here Comes The Sun – Make The Most of it!

From boosting serotonin levels, to regulating the immune system, to improving sleep quality, there are so many wonderful benefits of spending time in the sun. Luckily, there are also many ways for your loved one to enjoy the outdoors at Sage Park Memory Care and Transitional Assisted Living. Our manicured and secured grounds are easy on the eyes, plus they offer all the safety and supervision for your loved one to have fun this season. While we know getting the benefits of sunshine is important, we know it’s also necessary to take care to avoid too much sun in order to prevent sunburn, heat exhaustion, and other negative side effects.

Keep reading to learn about some of the ways we encourage our residents to have fun in the sun at our community.

Take a Stroll

Did we mention that our community is well-kept and beautiful? We encourage our residents to take strolls around our community to get some good old fashioned outdoor exercise. We are always happy to provide them assistance, and our well-tended gardens and walking paths ensure that your loved one stays safe within our community.

Read a Book

While it may seem a bit counterintuitive, you can still get all the benefits of sunshine when in a shaded area. So, why not grab a book and find a shady spot outside to read? This activity provides both brain stimulation and can boost mood with the added benefits of sunshine!

Indulge in a Snack

Even just getting outside to enjoy a snack can be a simple way to get some fresh air. Our dedicated kitchen staff is always happy to provide residents with delicious yet nutritious snacks or meals that they are welcome to enjoy in the great outdoors. We encourage residents to take in the sights and sounds around them while spending relaxing time outdoors – it can be quite therapeutic!

Birdwatching

Did you know that there are more than 400 bird species in Ohio? That means lots of varieties to see! From American Goldfinches to Eastern Bluebirds to Northern Cardinals, your loved one is bound to see a plethora of birds right in our community. Bright red with a beautiful singing voice, Ohio’s state bird, the cardinal, is sure to make an appearance!

Spend Time with Fellow Residents

What better way to enjoy the outdoors than connecting with fellow residents? That’s one of the great benefits of your loved one living with us at Sage Park – they are constantly surrounded by peers. All of the activities we’ve previously mentioned can be more fun with friends to enjoy them with!

At Sage Park, we’re always finding safe, fun ways for our residents to enjoy the sunshine. However your loved one prefers to get outside at our community this season, we’ll make sure to always follow these sun safety rules of thumb so you can rest assured knowing that they are in good hands:

• Ensure residents apply sunscreen 30 minutes before sun exposure and reapply at least every two hours.
• Ensure residents have water or electrolyte water wherever they go to stay hydrated.
• Ensure residents wear protective clothing, including a hat and sunglasses to shield their face and eyes from harmful UV rays. We also recommend that residents wear cool, breathable clothing – some clothes even have built-in UV protection!
• Limit extended periods of time spent outside to prevent heat exhaustion.
• And of course, provide snacks to beat the heat, like fruit pops!

To learn more about our residence or schedule a tour of Sage Park, our Columbus memory care community, contact our friendly team today.

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These activities may just become some of your loved one’s favorites

As the winter months come to an end, the city of Buffalo, New York, starts to come alive with a variety of activities for our Juniper Glen Memory Care and Transitional Assisted Living residents to enjoy. From outdoor events to indoor entertainment, there is something for everyone to enjoy this season. Whether you are a lifelong resident or new to town, there are plenty of opportunities to get out and experience all that Buffalo has to offer. Our team put together some of our favorite spring activities that we’re sure you won’t want to miss.

Explore the Botanical Gardens

Springtime in Buffalo is the perfect time to explore the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens. With over 23,000 square feet of indoor gardens, you can enjoy the beauty of nature and fresh blooms. The botanical gardens are home to a wide variety of plants, including exotic orchids, carnivorous plants, and even a cactus garden. The gardens also offer educational programs and workshops, making it the perfect place to have fun and learn something new.

Take a Walk in Delaware Park

Delaware Park is a 350-acre park in Buffalo and it’s the perfect place to take a stroll on a sunny spring day. The park features a rose garden, a lake, and plenty of walking paths. You can also visit the Buffalo Zoo, which is located within the park!

Visit the Albright-Knox Art Gallery

The Buffalo AKG Art Museum, formerly known as the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, is set to reopen in June 2023 and is a must-see for anyone interested in art. The gallery features an impressive collection of modern and contemporary art, including works by Jackson Pollock, Andy Warhol, and Pablo Picasso. The gallery also offers a variety of programs and events, including lectures, tours, and workshops. If you’re looking for something to do indoors on rainy days or when it gets a little too warm, the Albright-Knox Art Gallery is the perfect place to spend a few hours.

Attend a Local Baseball Game

If you’re a sports fan, attending a baseball game is a great way to spend an afternoon or evening. The Buffalo Bisons are a minor league baseball team that plays at Sahlen Field in downtown Buffalo. The season runs from April to September, so there are plenty of opportunities to catch a game. Sahlen Field is located in the heart of downtown Buffalo, so it’s easy to combine a game with other activities in the area.

Take a Cruise on Lake Erie

Taking a cruise on Lake Erie is a great way to enjoy the beauty of the Great Lakes region. There are several companies that offer boat tours of the lake, including the Spirit of Buffalo and the Miss Buffalo II. These tours offer stunning views of the Buffalo skyline and the surrounding countryside. You can also enjoy a meal or a drink on board, making it a great way to spend an afternoon or evening with friends or family.

As you can see, there are so many fun activities to do this season. Whether you’re interested in exploring nature, art, or sports, there is something for everyone! We hope you’ll take advantage of all that Buffalo has to offer and enjoy some springtime fun!

If you’d like to learn more about Juniper Glen or take a virtual or in-person tour, contact us today!

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Bringing Color and Cheer to Senior Living Spaces

Spring is a beautiful season, and what better way to celebrate this time of year than by planting beautiful flowers and plants? As the snow melts away and the sun shines brighter, it’s the perfect time to brighten up your living space with vibrant colors and cheerful blooms. For our over 55 communities in Ohio, we want to share some of the best spring plants to grow and a few of the benefits they bring to our residents.

Daffodils

Nothing says spring like a field of daffodils! These cheerful flowers are easy to grow and come in a variety of colors, from classic yellow, white, and even orange. Daffodils are a great choice for over 55 communities because they are low maintenance and can be planted in large clusters for maximum impact. They also have a long blooming season, so residents can enjoy their beauty for weeks on end.

If you are planting bare daffodil bulbs, the best time to do so is actually in the fall. If you’re getting a bit of a later start, check your local nursery for potted daffodils that have already sprouted!

Hyacinths

Hyacinths are another classic spring flower that are sure to spruce up a space. Their delicate blooms come in shades of pink, blue, purple, and white, and they have a sweet fragrance that can fill a room. Hyacinths are easy to care for and can be planted in pots or directly in the ground. They also make great cut flowers, so you can bring a bit of spring indoors.

Tulips

Tulips are a timeless favorite for spring planting. These bright and bold flowers come in a wide range of colors, from soft pastels to vibrant reds and oranges. Tulips are easy to grow and can be planted in large groups to create a stunning display. They also have a long blooming season, which means enjoying their beauty for several weeks.

Like daffodils, tulips are bulbs that are best planted in the fall. But if you missed the planting season, don’t worry! Grab a bunch of cut tulips from the grocery store to put in a vase indoors, or check your garden center for sprouted bulbs in pots.

Pansies

Pansies are a great choice because they are easy to care for and come in a wide range of colors. They are also cold-hardy, which means they can be planted early in the spring and will continue to bloom well into the season. Pansies are versatile flowers that can be planted in pots or in the ground, and they look great as part of a mixed planting.

Benefits of Spring Planting

Planting spring flowers and plants offers numerous benefits. It brings a burst of color and cheer to living spaces, which can have a positive impact on mental health and wellbeing. Studies have shown that exposure to nature and green spaces can reduce stress and anxiety and improve mood and cognitive function. Planting flowers can also provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment! It gives you something to care for and watch grow.

If you’d like to learn more about our over 55 communities in Ohio or schedule a tour, give us a call or visit us online today!

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The top five things to know for first time gardeners!

One of the many wonderful things about living at our luxury retirement communities in Georgia is the opportunity to explore your love for botany and gardening in our amazing community gardens. Not only is gardening a perfect way to spend time outside during the beautiful Georgia spring, but it is also proven to be a fantastic activity for your mental and physical well being.

With years of experience in our community gardens, we have created a list of our top recommendations for any of you looking to start a garden this year or just learn the basics. Keep reading for our top five Gardening tips for spring!

Know Your Zone

The first and most important thing to know when starting your garden is knowing which zone you live in. The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is a great indicator of how well specific plants and produce will grow in your area, and when the best time to plant is. With that in mind we always recommend location yourself on the zone map before you start planting!

Choose your location

Gardening doesn’t have to be challenging and can be done in a raised bed or in the ground. Whichever option you choose however, you will need to ensure that your garden gets ample sunlight throughout the day to ensure that your plants will thrive once sewed. Typically this means establishing your garden anywhere that is south, southeast, or southwest facing. Before you set up a permanent location, we recommend watching your surroundings for a few days to determine where the best permanent spot will be that gets plenty of sunlight throughout the day!

Check When to Plant

The zone you are located in will determine when to plant in your area. Because climate can vary based on location, knowing when to plant which crops will help ensure success, especially as a first time gardener. There are many guides online that can help you determine what to plant and when, but we always recommend heading over to your local nursery and asking the experts! Not only will they know what works in your area, but it also helps support a local business!

Don’t Overdo It

As a first time gardener it can be really exciting to dive in and want to start growing all of your own plants and produce. While we love this enthusiasm, for those of you new to gardening we recommend starting small and expanding your garden over time. Trying to maintain too many crops can be very time consuming and if you aren’t quite ready to dedicate that much time to your plants it could ultimately lead to disaster (or at least dead crops). With that in mind we recommend finding several plants or crops that will grow well in your area (based on your zone) and starting there.

Enjoy It!

Gardening is a wonderful hobby that is meant to be fun and pleasant. While it is easy to feel defeated when a crop doesn’t grow or one of our plants dies, that is all part of the learning process of starting a garden. Our number one piece of advice is to enjoy the entirety of the experience and remember that you are learning as you go!

We love helping our residents enjoy the wonderful experience of working in our community gardens and can’t wait to see what they grow. Our talented chefs even incorporate some of their garden treasures into the meals at our communities!

For more information on our retirement communities in Georgia, or to schedule a tour of our community and beautiful grounds, contact one of our team members today!

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Adventures and activities for spring to share with your loved ones

With the cold days and long nights of winter coming to a close, we’re gearing up for an incredible spring! As the weather warms, we all start to feel the itch to spend more time outdoors and in nature. Lucky for residents at our senior apartments in Oregon, nature abounds! From amazing nature trails to outdoor markets, there is plenty to do in Oregon in the spring.

We’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite outdoor activities around our 55+ communities in Oregon that our residents (and future residents!) can enjoy. Take a look, explore our beautiful state, and let us know what you think!

Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge

Located near Portland, the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge is an amazing nature preserve and wildlife refuge that is one of the nation’s only urban refugees! Featuring amazing hiking, incredible birding opportunities with over 200 species of birds, and plenty of chances to immerse yourself in nature completely. Visitors can see a variety of animals including great blue herons, bald eagles, deer, river otters, and much more. The park also offers wonderful educational opportunities for schools with both self-guided trips and guided ones.

Saturday Market

Popping over to Eugene, those who are a little less inclined to spend a day in nature can find themselves roaming the open-air market that is open Saturdays on 8th Avenue and Oak Street. Featuring an incredible food court, live music, and fine art. It also boasts the title of being the oldest open-air crafts market in the United States. From pottery to textiles to wood carvings, and even more unique artisans, this market is an absolute must-see! Be sure to try some international cuisine at their amazing food court, including Afghani, Jamaican, and Thai dishes!

Shopping in Bend

In Bend, nothing beats the shopping downtown. Chock full of local shops, artisans, and gift shops, you can easily find goodies for everyone on your list. Cobblestone sidewalks guide you from store to store and provide the perfect backdrop for this idyllic town. When you need a break from popping into the stores, take a moment to admire the architecture that mixes old mills and more modern homes to create an eclectic and beautiful cityscape. Or take a load off by sitting in one of the many incredible restaurants and indulging in a local craft beer.

Oregon Zoo

There’s something about a zoo that brings out the child in everyone. From big cats like tigers and cheetahs to majestic elephants and giraffes, to sweet red pandas and tiny fruit bats, there’s sure to be an animal that will delight your loved one. Spending an afternoon learning about the animal kingdom can be one of the best ways to bond with your friends and family. Educational opportunities abound at the Oregon Zoo and visitors can be kept busy with fun scavenger hunts offered by the zoo in collaboration with local teens in the Zoo Animal Presenter program!

We hope you are as excited about these spring activities as we are! We can’t wait to spend our spring weekends, and maybe even a weekday holiday exploring our wonderful state, and we hope to see you out and about!

Should you have any questions about one or all of our incredible senior apartments in Oregon, please give us a call. We’d be more than happy to set you up on a virtual or in-person tour!

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Enjoy the best destinations in the state this spring!

Georgia is magical during the spring, and this season is the perfect time to visit loved ones or friends at our luxury retirement communities in Georgia! With our residences located in some of the most convenient portions of the state, these destinations are sure to be easily accessible during your time here. Keep reading to find out where you might visit the next time you are here!

With so many incredible options of things to do and places to see, our expert team has compiled a list of our top 5 must-do places to visit and activities in the state this spring:

• Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta, GA
• Atlanta Botanical Gardens, Atlanta, GA
• Savannah Historic District, Savannah, GA
• Savannah City Market, Savannah, GA
• Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park, Atlanta, GA

Keep reading to learn more about each of these incredible tourist destinations!

Georgia Aquarium

The Georgia Aquarium is the perfect place for one of those chilly spring afternoons in the Atlanta area. Just a short drive from Dunwoody Pines and Hammond Glen, the Georgia Aquarium showcases the wonders of the ocean in an easily accessible way. Enjoy amazing Animal Encounters, explore aquatic life in the exhibits, or even schedule a Behind the Seas Tour. If you are an animal lover, or just looking for an amazing immersive experience, this is the stop for you and your loved ones!

Atlanta Botanical Gardens

The perfect springtime activity, visiting the Atlanta Botanical Gardens is a must-do for any garden and plant enthusiasts, or for anyone looking to spend a beautiful day surrounded by blooming flowers and foliage. The gardens have opportunities for groups of any size including individual tour options. While there you can tour the grounds, learn about the conservation efforts, and explore the beautiful blooming flowers. You can visit the Atlanta Botanical Gardens website and take a short garden-guide quiz to help better plan your experience!

Savannah Historic District

One of the top-visited portions of our state is the Savannah Historic District. With tons of history, beautiful waterfront views, incredible dining options, and an incredible atmosphere, there is no denying this is a must on your Georgia travel list!

Savannah City Market

If you choose to take the trip to Savannah, we have to recommend checking out the Savannah City Market. One of the central gathering places in the city, the City Market offers incredible dining, ample shopping, fun events, and beautiful scenery to top it off. The perfect destination for a spring afternoon, learn all about the Savannah City Market here.

Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park

Our final stop is at Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park. This incredible experience takes you to the home of MLK and allows you to walk in his footsteps. This moving exhibit is perfect for those who love history or are looking for a meaningful experience while in the Atlanta area. Plan your visit today!

We love seeing our residents explore the wonders of the state and hope to see you do the same when visiting this spring season! From Atlanta to Savannah, and all of the stops in between Georgia is the perfect place to spend time this spring season!

To learn more about our 55-plus communities in Georgia, or to schedule a tour of one of our residencies, contact us today!

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How to Choose the Right Senior Living Community for You

Choosing a senior living community is a big decision that involves many factors. You want to find a place that meets your needs, preferences, and budget, as well as offers a high quality of life and care. But how do you know which senior living community is right for you?

Here are some tips to help you narrow down your options and make an informed choice:

Determine your level of care

Senior living communities offer different levels of care, such as independent living, assisted living and memory care. Depending on your health and personal needs, you may need more or less assistance with daily activities, such as bathing, dressing, medication management, and mobility. You may also need specialized care if you have a condition that affects your memory, such as Alzheimer’s or dementia. To determine your level of care, you can consult with your doctor, family members, and a senior living advisor.

Consider your lifestyle and interests

Senior living communities offer various amenities and services that can enhance your lifestyle and interests. For example, some communities have fitness centers, swimming pools, libraries, art studios, gardens, and more. Some communities also offer activities and programs that cater to specific interests, such as music, sports, hobbies, and culture. You may want to look for a senior living community that matches your personality and passions, as well as provides opportunities for socialization and engagement.

Visit the communities in person

One of the best ways to get a feel for a senior living community is to visit it in person. You can tour the facilities, meet the staff and residents, sample the food, and observe the atmosphere. You can also ask questions about the community’s policies, procedures, costs, and benefits. You may want to visit several communities before making a final decision and compare them based on your criteria.

Ask for referrals and reviews

Another way to learn more about a senior living community is to ask for referrals and reviews from other sources. You can ask your friends, family members, or acquaintances who have experience with senior living communities for their recommendations and feedback. You can also check online reviews and ratings from websites such as Google, Yelp, or SeniorAdvisor.com. These sources can give you an insight into the quality and reputation of a senior living community.

Choosing a senior living community is an important step in your retirement journey. By following these tips, you can find a senior living community that suits your needs, preferences, and budget, as well as offers a high quality of life and care.

If you are looking for a senior living community that offers all-inclusive independent living, assisted living, and memory care options, with professional and caring managers, fun activities, and gourmet meals, you may want to consider Sunshine Retirement Living. Sunshine Retirement Living is a family-owned company that operates 40 senior living communities across 16 states. Sunshine Retirement Living strives to provide personalized care and services that enhance the well-being and happiness of its residents.

To learn more about Sunshine Retirement Living and its communities, visit SunshineRetirementLiving.com or call 1-877-448-9188 today.

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