Anchin at Aviva

For more information on the author, Aviva, CLICK HERE!With delicious restaurants, beautiful beaches, unique museums, and arich historical background, Sarasota has a vibrant arts and culture scene thats just waiting to be explored. With such diverse attractions, there's something for everyone to enjoy.If you're a current resident, seasonal visitor, or simply planning a short trip, read on to learn more about the best arts activities in Sarasota for seniors.The Scientific Benefits of the Arts for SeniorsWhether it be due to life events and circumstances or a genetic predisposition to mental health issues, seniors face unique mental health risks. About20% of people55 years of age and up experience some sort of mental health condition. Common mental health issues in seniors include depression, anxiety, and cognitive impairment.Maintaining good mental health is critical to your well-being, and the arts have proven to be highly beneficial and healing for people of all ages. The arts include a range of different activities from architecture, to writing to visual arts like painting, drawing, and sculpture, to performing arts such as music, dance, and acting, and more.Participating in creative arts has shown great positive effects on the mental health of older adults. Research has shown that doing so can enhance cognitive function, memory, well-being, health, and self-esteem, contributing to an improved quality of life. One study found that art therapy improved self-esteem and lowered depression in seniors. Another study found that music can improve both the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia.Whether you are actively participating in an art form, or simply observing, its significant positive effects shouldn't be overlooked.Top Sarasota Arts Activities for SeniorsSarasota County is known as Florida's Cultural Coast and its no wonder why. From art museums and galleries to state parks and natural sites to historic buildings, and everything in between, Sarasota is a hot spot for all things arts and culture.Before you go to an arts or culture event, be sure to look into each locations social distancing guidelines and regulations regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.Explore Downtown Historic SarasotaExplore Downtown Sarasota's rich history, beautiful culture, and unique architecture by touring it on foot or going on a trolley tour. If you're up for getting some exercise as you take in the sights, you can sign up for a guided historical walking tour take your own self-guided tour. Trolley tours are a great alternative if you would rather kick back, relax, and enjoy the ride or for those who have mobility issues.Explore Local Artistic Attractions, Museums, and GalleriesSarasota is home to an abundance of art museums and galleries. As Sarasota's first museum dedicated to contemporary art, the Sarasota Art Museum hosts a rotation of exhibitions throughout the year that feature different artists. Art Center Sarasota is home to a contemporary art exhibit and hosts educational events where professional artists hold classes, lectures, demonstrations, and more.The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, also known as the State Art Museum of Florida, is one of the most distinguished art museums in the United States. This museum is in what once was the estate of John and Mable Ringling, who, as part of the Ringling circus empire, had a profound impact on the Sarasota community. Their estate is also home to the Circus Museum, the Historic Asolo Theater, Ca dZan, Bayfront Gardens, and much more for visitors to explore.Sarasota also has an abundance of public art for its visitors and residents to enjoy. Spend the day searching for murals throughout the town. You can go on your own self-guided art tour, or sign up for a public art tour where you will be able to see and learn the history behind different public art sculptures, murals, and monuments.Attend a Live PerformanceSarasota is known for its performing arts scene and is home to many local community theaters and a range of performing arts groups such as professional theatre companies, musical groups, dance companies, and more.If you enjoy live music and performances, these well-respected institutions wont disappoint:Westcoast Black Theatre GroupSarasota OrchestraSarasota OperaSarasota Jazz ClubThe Sarasota BalletAsolo Repertory TheatreFlorida Studio TheatrePartially due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some groups of outdoor performances to enable safe, socially distant attendance. Most of the organizations above have announced their new seasons and have tickets available for purchase online.

For more information on the author, Aviva, CLICK HERE!The changes that come along with getting older can make it more challenging to maintain good health and wellness. Your mental and physical health has a significant impact on your quality of life, and while some changes are out of your control, there are certain things you can do to ensure you're aging gracefully.1. Exercise RegularlyRegularly exercising can lower your risk of chronic illness and health issues such as arthritis, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and more. It can improve your overall strength, mobility, flexibility, balance, and endurance and even has mood-boosting effects that can improve your mental health. Its a win-win!There are many different types of exercise and each has its own respective benefits. You will want to do a well-rounded mix of aerobic, flexibility, balance, and strengthening exercises to get the most benefits. Yoga, pilates, walking, cycling, resistance training, and more are all great ways to get your body moving.2. Stick to a Well-Balanced, Healthy DietYour diet plays a critical role in both your mental and physical health. Studies have found that diets high in sugar and processed foods, for example, can have significant mental health impacts. The physical effects of poor nutrition are no different a bad diet is linked to an increased risk of chronic diseases and health issues.Eating healthy provides plenty of benefits, such as increased energy levels, lower risk of disease, boosted immunity, and improved overall mental and physical health. Eat healthy snacks between meals and consume well-balanced meals that contain a combination of nutritious foods such as fruits, vegetables, lean protein, whole grains, and nuts. Drink eight cups of water per day to stay hydrated, as dehydration is a common issue in seniors that can have serious health effects.3. Get Enough SleepSleep is another key pillar of support to good mental and physical health. While you sleep, your body and mind are able to recover from the physical and mental demands of the day. Getting enough sleep every night offers many benefits, such as improved cognitive function, balance, and immunity, lowering your risk of chronic disease, helping you maintain a healthy weight, and more.The amount of sleep we need changes as we age, yet seniors are still recommended to get around eight hours of good quality sleep per night to reap the benefits of a good nights rest.4. Strengthen Your RelationshipsHealthy relationships with your friends and family can support your overall well-being by providing a sense of belonging and lowering stress.Spend time with far-away family members over video chatGet connected on social media to keep in touch with loved onesSpend quality time with your friends and familyRegularly call your loved ones to check in on themGet involved in your community by participating in different events and classes5. Go OutdoorsGoing outdoors is proven to support good mental and physical health. Limited sun exposure gives you much-needed vitamin D, which can support good bone health, muscular and cognitive function, and immunity. Studies have found that going outdoors can also aid in stress relief and improve overall mental health and mood (especially when done in conjunction with exercise).There are many things you can do to get some fresh air, such as taking a walk, going for a bike ride, and sitting outside to read or birdwatch.6. Get a PetAnimals, specifically cats and dogs, can support good mental health. They can combat feelings of loneliness and stress, lower levels of anxiety and depression, encourage physical activity, and more. Check with your senior living community to learn about theirpet policy and see if this is an option for you.7. Participate in Your Favorite ActivitiesMaking time for the things you enjoy will help you feel a sense of enrichment, lower stress levels, and boost your mood.Maintain your religious or spiritual practices. This can give you a sense of purpose and connection to something greater as well as other people, both of which can benefit your mental health.Get active by taking a dance class, yoga class, or another fitness program.Attend a class or lecture to learn something new.Put together a puzzle, participate in arts and crafts, or play cards or board games with friends.Make time to enjoy the arts, whether it be attending an event in your senior living community or exploring outside of your community by visiting a museum or attending a live performance.Along with making time for your hobbies and other things you enjoy, make sure you're also setting aside time to rest and recharge.How the Right Senior Living Community Can Ensure Healthy AgingYour home is likely where you spend a lot of time. Moving to a new community can be intimidating and lonely, but choosing the right senior living community can make this transition seamless. Choose a community that focuses on senior enrichment by offering different activities, events, and classes for their residents to get involved, focus on their mental and physical wellness, and connect with others.At Aviva Senior Living, our residents physical and mental health are our priority. We offer a wide range of amenities and services to support your overall wellness and strive to create an environment for older adults to thrive. Whats more, we offer a fullcontinuum of care so that you can age in place without worry.

Whether you adhere to it or not, its likely that you've heard the term keep kosher before. While a kosher diet is typically followed by those of Jewish faith,maintaining a kosher dietis done for other reasons, too by people of different backgrounds.But what does kosher mean? How do you adhere to a kosher diet? What are its benefits? How easy is it to keep kosher at a senior living community? Read on as we answer these questions and discuss how keeping kosher is easy and delicious at Aviva Senior Living.What Does Kosher Mean?By definition, kosher means fit for consumption. Rather than kosher indicating a style of food, kosher foods simply adhere to a set of rules (known as kashrut). These rules come from traditional Jewish law, which specify how foods should be prepared and consumed. Keeping kosher can be done differently depending on the person. Some choose to follow kosher guidelines strictly, while others may only follow certain rules.Three Main Kosher Food Categories:Meat. This includes broth and bones. Meat is considered kosher when its from a mammal with split hooves that chews their cud, such as goats, sheep, and cows. Pork is not kosher.Dairy. Dairy products that are sourced from a kosher mammal are approved for consumption, such as cheese, milk, yogurt, and butter.Pareve foods. This category includes foods that are'nt meat or dairy, such as fish, eggs, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, grains, bread, pasta, coffee, tea, and more. If these foods have been prepared with the same tools used on meat or dairy products, they would be considered non-kosher or reclassified as dairy or meat. Shellfish is not kosher, and fish must have fins and scales to be considered kosher.Keeping Kosher Food Requirements:Meats cannot be consumed or served at the same time as a dairy product.Cross-contamination between meat and dairy products isn't allowed. The utensils and equipment used to clean and prepare meat and dairy must be kept separate at all times.You must wait a certain amount of time between consuming meat before you consume dairy (and vice versa) typically until the next meal.In some cases, pareve foods such as eggs and plant-based foods may be consumed at the same time as dairy or meat.Pareve foods also have their own set of rules regarding their preparation and processing. For example, bread is only kosher if its certified. This guarantees that during the preparation process, no animal products were used, such as animal oils or fats which could be used to grease baking equipment. Additional dietary rules may be enforced during Jewish religious holidays, such as Passover.The Benefits of Adhering to a Kosher DietMany who follow a kosher diet do so out of obedience to religious laws. There are a few benefits and reasons why people keep kosher. For example, in order for a meat or pareve food to be certified kosher, it must maintain strict preparation practices to avoid cross-contamination with meat or dairy proving beneficial for those who don't consume dairy due to allergies, food-sensitivities, or a vegan diet.Jewish law is against animal suffering, which can ensure more ethical slaughter practices. In addition, because kosher food production must adhere to strict regulations and standards, restaurants, facilities, and manufacturers will typically have higher levels of production supervision, which can make for a more regulated food preparation process.How Keeping Kosher Is Made Easy at Aviva Senior LivingThose who do follow the kosher diet may be wondering how they can keep kosher at their new senior living community, especially since the menu and food preparation processes vary between communities.At Aviva, we believe that food is more than fuel. Its an experience that brings people together. When our founders opened our community doors in 1993, they instilled the values and traditions of the Jewish faith throughout the campus values which help us provide a community that's nurturing, compassionate, comfortable, respectful, and honoring to our residents. Were proud to say were committed to kosher style dining throughout our campus at Aviva. Our team of culinary experts and head chef work to create a gourmet kosher menu with locally-sourced, high-quality ingredients.In addition, we offer a range of dining options. From fine to casual dining and room service, we have an experience for every occasion. We also offer a wide range of culinary options, including vegetarian, gluten free, and low-calorie menu items for our residents to ensure they are receiving proper nutrition.

For more information on the author, Aviva, CLICK HERE!Whether youre looking into an independent living community for yourself or a loved one, there are many factors to consider one of the most important is whether you will choose to rent or buy into a community.What Is a Buy-In Senior Living Community?An entrance fee, also known as buy-in, is a one-time payment that some senior living communities require their residents to pay before they move in. This is common in senior living communities that offer multiple types and levels of care. The fee will vary between communities, and some can cost up to hundreds of thousands of dollars making senior living communities simply unobtainable for many. In addition to an entrance fee and monthly rent, residents may be required to pay more to use the community amenities and services or participate in certain activities.The Benefits of Choosing a Senior Rental CommunitySenior rental communities offer many advantages one being that they don't charge an entrance fee. This alone opens the door to many more benefits and opportunities.FlexibilityAs we age, our care needs can change. Life's unexpected turns can cause enough stress on their own, and making sure you or your loved one are properly taken care of should not be a concern. Finding a community that offers a continuum of care guarantees you have access to different types of care and can give you comfort knowing that you'll be able to age in place.In addition, rental communities give you the power to choose the duration of your stay, and when that time is over, you can opt to renew your agreement, change your rental unit, or move to another community or level of care if the one you're in isn't the right fit.Some rental communities even give you the option to rent season  for months at a time instead of committing to a year-long lease enabling those who like to travel to Florida during the harsh winter months, for example, to do so. Should you choose to go on a trip, you'll also have peace of mind knowing that the staff at your rental community will keep your home taken care of until you get back.Reduced Financial StressOne of the biggest benefits of renting at an independent living community is that it gives you the flexibility and freedom to live life how you want, without a cumbersome financial burden.The typical, hefty entrance fee associated with buying a home in an independent living community can wipe out a large sum of your retirement savings. Entrance fees may only be partially refundable should you choose to move, you may end up losing that hard-earned money. To make things more challenging, communities that offer full refunds typically require a steep upfront fee.Seniors are living longer and healthier lives, so its important to budget your money to last. Financial stress is a leading cause of anxiety and depression in seniors, which can have significant mental health impacts. Since rentals require a substantially smaller investment, renting can be a great way to alleviate this stress.Amenities GaloreOne of the greatest benefits of renting from a senior living community are the amenities included in your monthly rent. If you don't want to spend time cleaning, cooking, driving, and more, or you simply dislike these chores, then renting could be a better option for you.What's more, community services and amenities give you back valuable time to do what you love and can even help cut living costs. At Aviva Senior Living, we offer:Gym and fitness facilitiesTelevisionInternetTelephoneHeated outdoor swimming poolClubsBeautiful walking pathsAccess to three golf coursesEnriching events, classes, and activitiesTransportationOn-site medical servicesCasual and fine dining optionsHome safety and security systemsHousekeeping servicesLawn and pool carePest control, and more.How to Find the Right Senior Living CommunityChoosing a community to entrust with your or your loved ones care shouldn't be taken lightly. No two senior living communities are the same. With differences in policies and procedures, amenities, pricing structure, and more, finding the right fit can be overwhelming if you don't know where to start.While this decision goes far beyond whether or not they charge an entrance fee, entrance fees can be very limiting for many. Do substantial research and look into your options .Ask in-depth questions about each community's services, amenities, care plans, security measures, and more so that you know you're choosing the right fit. Look for a community that's transparent about its approach, does'nt require buy-in, is not-for-profit, and prioritizes resident enrichment.