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Seniors struggle to stay active due to disabilities, health issues or reduced flexibility. Daily physical activity is critical for one's health. Why is it important for seniors to remain active?Like everyone else, seniors benefit a lot from maintaining active lifestyles. However, reports have found that one in three aging men and one in two aging women do not participate in any physical activity. If your senior loved one is not active, they could be at a higher risk of developing health issues in the future.Here are three ways seniors can remain active:Take daily walksWalking is a good form of cardio. This kind of cardio is low intensity and perfect for seniors. Walking is beneficial for older adults because it helps maintain a healthy weight, strengthen bones, reduce blood pressure and anxiety.Participate in daily activitiesWith many more people spending time alone, it can be tempting for seniors to sit on the couch all day. Moving around the house and doing daily activities helps seniors remain active. They can get into the habit of doing daily chores like cleaning, laundry or cooking.Starting an at-home exercise routineDid you know that exercise helps seniors improve their balance and increases their independence?  The first step for seniors to start working out is finding one that accommodates their needs. If a senior has limited mobility, look at a routine they can do while seated. Seniors who have more mobility could also join a Pilates or yoga class online.Editors Note: This article was submitted by Chelsea Carroll with Akkase Home Health Care.  Contact her at 402-359-1265 or visit their website at www.akkasehhc.com.

Everything changes over time, including older adults and what they want from retirement. Todays seniors are a lively, involved, and discriminating group who arent interested in stereotypes from the past. Thats why senior living communities are offering more inspired choices than ever for fulfillment, fun, and longevity.Engaging, personalized, and focused on healthy aging: retirement is being redefined at senior living communitiesTodays older adults want more than just a comfortable place to live. They want more fun, more freedom, and more flexibility. In short, they want retirement living to bring more to their livesand thats exactly what happens in Heritage Communities.Seniors today:Understand the importance of socialization and engagement.Todays senior living communities know that good health is about more than just access to medical care and the right prescription drugs. Staying active, learning new things, and spending time with like-minded people are all ingredients in the recipe for better health.Its true that with age comes an increase in health concerns. Vision can change, and mobility may decline. That can make it more difficult to spend time with friends, go on outings, or make plans. And all of that can lead to harmful isolation. However, modern senior living communities remove these barriers, by placing seniors in the midst of activity, companionship, and wellness.Are more educated and staying busier than ever.Among people ages 65 and older in 1965, only 5% had completed four years of college or more. By 2023, this share had risen to 33%. A study published in the Journals of Gerontology found that over 60% of Americans aged 65-74 were involved in at least one type of paid or volunteer work. According to a study by the AARP Public Policy Institute, over 22 million Americans aged 50 and older are caregivers for a family member or friend.Todays seniors are drawn to living a purposeful life and positively impacting the community. Studies have shown that having a purpose is good for your mental and physical health. Seniors with a purpose in life are less likely to develop Alzheimers disease, heart attacks, or strokes.Are working longer.According to the Population Reference Bureau, in 2022, 24 percent of men and about 15 percent of women ages 65 and older were in the labor force. These levels are projected to rise further by 2032, to 25 percent for men and 17 percent for women.Want more interesting and stimulating activities and events.Seniors are leading more active lives than ever before. Many use their retirement years to travel, master new hobbies, or give back to their communities. The diverse interests and active lives of todays seniors mean better health. Numerous studies have shown that being more socially active in your 50s and 60s predicts a lower risk of developing dementia later on. The great news? Senior Living communities today are nothing like they used to be!Theres a whole new ambiance. Think welcoming. Upbeat and energetic. Fun! Todays senior living communities are places families and friends want to visit, to spend quality time with their loved ones. The focus on wellness and engagement can make it feel more like a vacation destination, where residents come and go as they please and plan their days as they choose.The barriers are gone. Aging can bring with it achy joints or vision thats not so sharp. But todays senior living communities give you the opportunity to hit reset and get back to all the things you have always loved. For example, instead of driving on your own, you can join the group for an outing to the theater, a favorite festival, or art exhibition. Or try some chair yoga. Maybe share a laugh with friends on an outdoor patio or balcony.Activities are geared to physical and mental wellness. Senior living communities today stimulate the mind and the body. Fascinating lectures. Social events that offer opportunities to connect with others. Walking groups, exercise classes, book clubs, happy hours, volunteering opportunities, games, holiday celebrations, family programs, intergenerational events, and so much more. In todays senior living communities, you can be as laid back and quiet as you want, or as active and involved as you choose.Ready to reimagine your retirement?If youve started to research retirement options, youll no doubt see there are endless ways and places to enjoy your retirement.At Heritage Communities, we work hard to tailor your experience to your expectations. Wed love to tell you more.

1. Smart Digital Photo Frame .Send photos or small videos directly to an app from anywhere in the world, and your fathers can enjoy those wonderful family moments within seconds of the actual event. Amazon has many options to choose from like the FRAMEO 10.1 inch Smart Wifi Digital Photo Frame.2. Live Genealogy Movie. Convert their favorite childhood memories trapped on aging VHS tapes or stacks of prints or slides into personalized DVDs and digital keep sake they can watch over and over again and relive those special moments in their lives.3. Universal Remote Control. A good universal remote not only eliminates coffee-table clutter but reduces button pushes by combining multiple actions into one.4. Personalized Puzzle. Turn favorite photos into hours of fun. Companies like Shutterfly create puzzles customized to a favorite memory.5. Veteran Song. Honor your veteran by connecting them with Freedom Sings USA, a non-profit based in Chattanooga, TN that pairs professional songwriters with veterans, active military and their families to help them tell their stories through song.6. Make A Ball Memory Keeper. For the sports enthusiast, customize a ball in the sport of their choice with photos and memorable phrases.7. Model Car Kit. For that auto enthusiast or man who likes to still tinker with his hands, a model car building kit is the perfect gift. To make it even more memorable, find a specific make and model of his favorite first car.8. Customized Hammer. A great gift for that handyman or do-it-yourselfer. An engraved, personalized hammer will make the perfect sentimental gift.9. Coupon Book. Create a personal coupon book with coupons you can do together focusing on what that person would enjoy. Pinterest has several templates for creative and personal coupon books.10. Time. What do our loved ones treasure most? Time with each other. One thing COVID-19 has forced us to do is slow down and take more time for one another and to be thankful for the time we have with our loved ones.As our fathers and grandfathers transition into the later stages of their lives, it's good to keep gifts small, memorable and easily accessible. We think they will be sure to appreciate any of these great Father's Day gifts for seniors.

We, seniors, face all kinds of changes but who do we trust for guidance? Whether medical, financial needs, or to right-sizing for a more manageable lifestyle and what about all of the stuff in the house? Getting with a trusted professional who understands what we are going thru is vital, one who has years of experience and the professional designations to prove they are the best resource for us is the first big step. Also, by all means check references. When it comes to making a change to your housing needs you will want a Realtor with the Seniors Real Estate Specialist Designation or SRES by your side.  As professionals, we have a wealth of excellent information and contacts who can address your specific needs and empower you to make the best decisions for your future.  Any questions email me at [email protected] Editors Note: This article was Submitted by Bill Black, SRES, CRS is a Broker Associate with NP Dodge and may be reached at 402-680-2500 or by email at [email protected]