Research-Backed Best Practices for Promoting a Healthy Lifestyle

Staying mentally and physically active is important throughout our lives, but it becomes increasingly important as we age due to the fact that it can help increase one’s lifespan and enhance quality of life. If you are exploring options for transitional assisted living in the Buffalo area for your loved one, be sure to keep an eye out for communities that prioritize their residents’ health.

Here at Juniper Glen Transitional Assisted Living and Memory Care, located just outside of Buffalo, we pride ourselves in taking a person-centered care approach that is backed by research to promote the overall well-being of our residents. A University of Buffalo initiative was conducted a few years ago, identifying best practices for staying fit and sharp as we age–keep reading to learn about these practices, and how we implement them at Juniper Glen to help residents thrive.

Engage in Physical Activity

For those who have not experienced memory challenges, being physically active can help ward off the risk of them occurring. Research has also found that those who are experiencing Alzheimer’s or dementia can slow the process by engaging in exercise combined with other best health practices for aging. We offer plenty of opportunities for organized physical activity here at Juniper Glen, such as chair kickboxing, gardening, walking club and chair kickball. We also offer unstructured opportunities for physical activity, such as walks around our secure community grounds.

Stimulate Your Brain

Engaging your mind in activities is key to staying sharp. At Juniper Glen, we are firm believers that everyone should be a lifelong learner, which is why we provide many opportunities for residents to engage in brain-stimulating activities such as puzzle time, Who am I Game, group discussions, crafting and Name That Tune.

Eat a Healthy and Balanced Diet

You know what they say–you are what you eat! Eating nutritious meals, full of whole foods, is one of the key ingredients to living a healthy lifestyle. At Juniper Glen, our dining menus incorporate foods from the Rush University Medical Center MIND Diet, which is designed and proven to foster brain health. Foods like leafy greens, low-glycemic fruits, lean proteins, and whole grains give our residents the nutrients–and flavors!–they’re looking for in their diet.

Minimize Stress

Stress can take more of a toll on our body than we realize–it’s important to manage our stress levels by engaging in self-care and activities that help improve emotional health and support rest. In our community, we offer a variety of opportunities for residents to reduce their stress levels, such as color therapy, pet therapy, chair yoga, meditation, sensory stimulation therapy, crafting and more.

Minimize Alcohol Intake and Stop Smoking

As we know, alcohol intake and smoking can be very harmful to our health. The University at Buffalo Center for Successful Aging found suggests minimizing alcohol intake and stopping smoking to increase the quality of life and overall health. The MIND diet we follow at Juniper Glen also suggests keeping alcohol intake to a minimum.

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Another way to stay in tip-top shape and increase longevity is by maintaining a healthy weight. This best practice goes hand-in-hand with many of the things already mentioned– being physically active, engaging in thoughtful eating, and stress reduction. Maintaining a healthy weight promotes overall health and can also lower the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure, and more. Speak with your doctor or a dietitian about their personalized recommendations for you and your loved one.

Juniper Glen is conveniently located near awesome medical and research centers, like the University at Buffalo Center for Successful Aging, allowing us to stay up-to-date with the best practices in health and care. We love supporting our residents’ well-being, including their mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health.

To learn more about our Buffalo senior living residency or schedule a tour of Juniper Glen, contact our friendly team today.

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