Winter is almost here. While the season brings lots of fun for many – parties, family gatherings, holiday happiness and so on – it also brings snow, ice, wind and dark days. No matter how holly jolly you may feel during the winter holidays, the weather-related issues can cause seniors to dread this time of year.
“Winter can be hard for seniors, particularly if they’re living on their own,” says Angel Van Horn, Community Relations Specialist at Park Manor, the most trusted retirement community in Nashville, TN. “Straightforward tasks like shoveling the driveway, getting to the grocery store and bundling up for the cold can be exhausting and, at times, insurmountable. It can be dangerous, boring, isolating and not fun whatsoever.”
If you or a loved one have been thinking about moving into a senior living community, you may have discussed waiting until the new year to make plans. Angel suggests a different course of action.
“Why not move into an Assisted Living community like Park Manor Apartments before winter arrives?” she says. “There are so many benefits to getting into your new home during the fall so that you can enjoy winter and kick off a whole slew of new traditions in 2020. Plus, there are some specific benefits to moving into a community before winter that you may not have considered.”
Benefit #1: Physical safety
Aging adults (and, well, all of us) have to be extra careful during winter in order to stay safe. Driving on hazardous roadways, slipping on ice, getting chilled due to broken furnaces, worrying about pipes freezing … there are a lot of things to worry about. However, when you move into a senior living community, you can get rid of a lot of the worries that stem from winter woes.
No longer will you need to grab a shovel to clear snow off the driveway or sidewalk – the on-site maintenance staff will take care of that practically as soon as the snow falls. Say goodbye to stockpiling food (and fighting the crowds at the grocery store) to make sure you have supplies on hand if a winter storm hits – the community in which you live is always well-stocked, so you never have to worry about going hungry or dealing with perishables. And as for driving during inclement weather? Communities like Park Manor have you covered there, too – scheduled transportation is available so that all you have to do is sit back, relax and let our drivers’ chauffeur you to and from, wherever you’d like to go.
Benefit #2: Improved health
Anyone who’s been around little kids in the winter month knows that colds and other seasonal illnesses are as plentiful as holiday lights and TV specials at this time of year. This spells bad news for seniors, who are particularly susceptible to things like the flu. While it may seem like living with a bunch of other people might be less beneficial to your health than living solo, that’s actually not the case in a senior living community like Park Manor.
First, our community is a clean, warm and sanitary environment, meaning you’re a lot less likely to pick up cold germs than you would outside. Second, there are always experienced health care staff on-hand, so that as soon as we catch wind of a sniffle or cough, we can spring into action and take care of any illness that might be lurking. Third, we’re able to help you stay up to date on your medications and vaccines (like flu shots) so that you can stay in the best health possible).
Fourth, you don’t have to put yourself at risk during the winter months when you’re living at Park Manor. You aren’t dealing with home upkeep or taking care of the emergencies that can emerge during winter months like malfunctioning furnaces or leaky roofs. The less time you have to spend cleaning or working outside in the cold, the less likely you are to get sick.
Benefit #3: Staying active
It’s easy to stay active and get enough exercise during the spring and summer months. In the winter, however, the cold temperatures and shorter days make staying physically active more difficult. When you aren’t able to exercise, your immune system starts to falter, and it’s easier to become sick or simply get into a slump.
At a community like Park Manor, the cold weather doesn’t hinder your opportunities to stay active and get moving. Our fitness center has all sorts of classes like swimming, yoga, aerobics, weight training and more – all inside and in a climate-controlled environment. There are all sorts of classes and activities schedule for you, so all you have to do is leave your apartment and head to the fitness center … without ever having to go outside.
Benefit #4: Social activities and engagement
Being cooped up inside during the winter months is boring and lonely. Unfortunately, unless you’re willing to risk going outside, driving on potentially treacherous roads or organizing an event at your place, you don’t have a lot of options for staying socially active. Enter the fun and benefits of a community like Park Manor. Our jam-packed, active social calendar helps our residents avoid boredom and stay socially engaged – staving off the seasonal depression that can sometimes go hand-in-hand with the winter months.
The winter months are a great time to be at Park Manor, in terms of activities and social events. Since it’s the holiday season, there are always parties, fun activities and outings that revolve around enjoying this time of year. The community’s halls are decked, so it’s always festive and enjoyable when you walk into our common areas. And since there’s such a focus on community and the spirit of togetherness at this time of year, it’s easy to connect with others, make acquaintances and get integrated into life in our amazing community.
Although you or your loved one may have wished to stay “at home” for one more holiday season, there are lots of benefits – and very few negatives – to moving to a place like Park Manor apartments before winter hits. Best of all, you’ll be able to avoid the beginning-of-the-year rush of other individuals who plan on moving in 2020. You’ll be able to have your pick of apartments and get comfortable in the life of our community before the ball drops on December 31 … setting the stage for a very happy new year, indeed.
If you have more questions about our senior living community, please contact us at 615.997.3030.
Love Where You Live!
Have you ever asked yourself the question, “Do I love where I live?” If you ask that question of the residents of Park Manor, Nashville’s premier retirement community, the answer would be a resounding, “Yes!” For over 50 years, Park Manor has served Nashville’s seniors by providing a community designed to support an active, independent, secure, healthy and worry-free lifestyle. Located on seven spacious acres in the desirable Nashville neighborhood Belle Meade, we’re proud to provide a lifestyle our residents love each and every day.
Park Manor’s approach to senior living is simple: exceed our residents’ expectations. We strive to provide everything you could possibly need and want to live your life the way you choose. At Park Manor, you will enjoy a standard of living reminiscent of a luxury resort – but it’s not a vacation – it’s your lifestyle! This commitment is why we are held in such high regard by our surrounding community and are known as the premier retirement community offering Independent Living and Assisted Living lifestyles.
For seniors requiring memory care, Park Manor is associated with the prestigious Abe’s Garden® Memory Care Center of Excellence. Abe’s Garden® is committed to transforming the care of those with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia by establishing a national model of residential living and day care programs for those suffering from the disease. Abe’s Garden® provides an unprecedented level of care in addition to a comprehensive array of services and lifestyle options.
At Park Manor, your continued independence is our top priority. Enjoy living life as you choose … in the comfort and privacy of your own apartment, while having the peace of mind of knowing help is available if and when you need it.
For more information, please call 615.997.3030.