Ovation Heartwood Preserve

When we are young, we simply respond to whatever life throws at us. In our middle years, we are busy with work and families that we may not have the time or resources to think about our own personal fulfillment. As we grow older, though, we have the opportunity to shape and mold our lives into something we like.But many people have trouble finding happiness and fulfillment as they age. Some are hindered by social norms that say older adults should rest. Others simply dont realize that being an older adult can be a time of joy and personal growth.The good news is that it is entirely possible to lead an exciting and fulfilling life after retirement. In fact, scientists have spent quite a lot of time investigating the relationship between age and happiness, and they have found a positive correlation between the two. A number of these studies have revealed patterns between life satisfaction and age.One such pattern is the U-curve, which shows that happiness generally dips in the middle ages of life and is highest at the beginning and end. The U-curve is consistent across individuals, nations and cultures: happiness declines according to age for about 20 years, starting in early adulthood and continuing through the middle-aged years before turning upwards and increasing with age.Much of the upturn in the happiness U-curve is the cumulative result of your life experiences. You have developed deeper emotional intelligence and depth. One of the best ways to optimize the upward turn of the U-curve is to age with intention.What is Aging with Intention?Retirement usually is the start of the upward bend of the U-curve. People are often unaware of the major lifestyle changes that come with retirement, so many go through a period of trial and error as they search for their new meaning and purpose.Aging with intention is a concept that helps adults find that purpose and meaning in their lives. It is a mindset that helps shape the everyday activities. Aging with intention creates a path towards self-fulfillment, growth, and expansion of ones physical, mental, and emotional well-being.Focus on Goals as We AgeDictionary.com defines intention as, an act or instance of determining mentally upon some action or result. Aging with intention, then, requires setting goals. Defining intention and setting goals helps create meaning and purpose goals provide a reason to get up and go every morning. Goals can vary from person to person, and there are no right or wrong goals.Goals may include:Improving health and fitness by walking three days a weekCommunicating with family and friends, even if by video chattingFindyour own communityand building social connectionsEngaging in community service by volunteering at the library or animal shelterBoosting quality of life by hiring a housekeeper or enrolling in social programs during the dayCreating goals after retirement may seem overwhelming at first, but it is easier than you might think. To make goal creation easier:Focus on the purpose:Clarifying the reason for the activity helps you stay on trackDefine your expectations:While it is important to set goals that are challenging, it is essential that your goals match your abilities to fulfill them; you are more likely to become discouraged and quit activities that are too hard.Take small steps:Break down goals into smaller, more manageable objectives

Dont let the term low-impact fool you these exercises are a great way to get in a good workout and increase your heart rate. From a technical perspective, a low-impact exercise is one in which one foot is always planted on the ground. No-impact exercises are those where both feet stay on the ground at all times or your body is supported by a machine or water during the workout.Low-Impact ExercisesLow impact exercise for seniors has the same goal as any cardio workout get the heart beating. The difference with low-impact is you want something gentleon the joints. With high-impact exercises, the joints absorb most of the impact. For example, when you run, the back, hips, knees, and even feet absorb the energy as your body hits the ground. Low-impact takes a gentler approach.Walking:Walking for exercise has it all. It doesnt require fancy equipment or a trainer. It offers almost the same advantages as running but without the jarring joint problems. If you pick up the pace a bit, youll find your heart rate increases, too.  Hiking:Hiking is walking with a little more purpose. Hikers walk on natural paths like the local nature trail. The exercise benefit of hiking is typically more than walking around your neighborhood, too. Natural surfaces are full ofinclines and uneven areas that add to the challenge.Lunges:A standard lunge puts one leg forward, with the knee bent and the other behind with the knee bent. It allows you to build strength and stability in some of your biggest muscles, including your back, stomach, buttocks, and thigh. Working these big muscles gets your heart pumping, as well.Most Types of Dancing:Dancing offers an overall, low-impact exercise that works almost every muscle, including the heart. It builds stability in the core and improves balance and coordination.Rollerblading or Skating:Skating is a comprehensive workout that activates all the muscles. It also builds leg strength but without taxing the joints.Cross-Country Skiing:Cross-country skiing increases your heart rate and your bodys ability to move oxygen. It involves most major muscles, too, so it builds strength and balance.Step Aerobics:Step aerobics provides a high-intensity workout but one that doesnt tax the joints. It builds muscle, reduces fat, and improves heart health.|If youre at risk for injury, its much better to stick to low-impact exercises for seniors. Low-impact workouts are also ideal for people who have undergone hip or knee replacement surgery. Low-impact exercises are often prescribed as part of rehabilitation and recovery.No-Impact ExercisesLow-impact is gentler than high-impact, but there is still some stress on the joints. What is no-impact exercise? No-impact exercise is any exercise that doesnt impact the joints. It is still possible to get a good workout with a no-impact exercise routine.Swimming Laps:Swimming is no-impact because the water absorbs most of the energy that affects the joints. Swimming is also a great way to build endurance, muscle, and cardio fitness.Water Aerobics:Like swimming, water aerobics allows you to move in a way that doesnt stress the joints. Water aerobics improves cardiovascular health and balance. It is also an effective choice for those with chronic pain.Elliptical Machines:An elliptical machine mimics the movements of walking or running but without the jarring effect of your weight coming down on your joints. It also allows for weight-bearing movement to fight off osteoporosis.Stationary Bikes:A stationary bike offers fluid movement and improves blood flow. Since you are working mostly withyour legs, it builds strength in some major muscle groups.Rowing:A rowing machine is a total body workout that uses almost all upper and lower body muscles. It is also relaxing and meditative.Problem with High-Impact ExercisesWhen both feet leave the ground, such as when running or jumping rope, the body absorbs a lot of impact force. These impacts can be hard on bones, joints, tendons, ligaments, and muscles. High-impact exercises tend to burn more calories because theyre more intense workouts, but the chance for injury is much higher than with low-impact exercises. If youre at risk for injury, its much better to stick to low-impact exercises. Being able to do low-impact workouts is preferable to not being able to work out at all after suffering a preventable injury while pushing yourself too hard. Low-impact workouts are also ideal for people who have undergone hip or knee replacement surgery. Low-impact exercises are often prescribed as part of rehabilitation and recovery. Older people who want to avoid injuries that may take a long time to heal should stick almost exclusively to low-impact and no-impact exercises. Weakening bones and osteoporosis are common in older Americans, and theres not much you can do about it even if you adhere to a balanced diet and eat healthful foods. Refraining from high-impact exercises is one of the best ways to ensure you dont suffer an injury that will put you out of the game for a prolonged period of time. High-intensity workouts arent just a danger to your bones, joints, and ligaments. Regardless of age, theres an increased risk for heart attack and stroke if you push yourself too hard. This is doubly true for people who arent acclimated to high-intensity training. If you want to start working out to lose weight you should be commended for your efforts, but you shouldnt immediately join a CrossFit gym and hit their routines with maximum intensity. Its important to gradually increase your workout intensity as your body strengthens. Starting out gradually with low-impact and no-impact exercises is almost always the best way to start your journey. If you have one of these three conditions, stick to low-Impact or no-Impact exercises.  Diabetic NeuropathyDiabetics who experience diabetic neuropathy will likely struggle with high-impact exercises due to the pain and numbness they often experience in their legs and feet. ArthritisDepending on the severity of your arthritis and where you have joint damage, high-impact exercises may not be possible. People with arthritis in the hips, knees or feet should still find ways to exercise, but its important to participate in safe low- and no-impact options. OsteoporosisPeople with compromised bone density should abstain from high-impact exercises that could cause stress fractures.

Parents often struggle to communicate with their children about a decision to consider a move to a senior living community. Children of aging parents find themselves facing the challenge of talking to a loved one about one day moving from home to a community. Talking with a parent can be a difficult conversation. Many people hear retirement community and think nursing home, even though that is not the senior living community of today.Before broaching the subject of a move, write down concerns you have for your parents. For example, are they safe in their home environment or have they been making errors with their medications? Educate yourself on senior living options to get an idea of the best fit for your loved ones. The more you learn, the better prepared you will be for the conversation.Create a few conversation starters that will help you ease into the discussion. Bringing up the subject of a retirement community can be the hardest part. Ask about their experiences and feelings about living at home. Whatare your worries about staying in your home? Do you feel safe and secure? Do you ever feel lonely or isolated? What would it feel like not to maintain your current home?This is not a conversation to have over the phone. Choose a time and place that is relaxed and free from interruptions. Begin the conversation by asking a few questions and listen to the responses which will include their feelings, thoughts, concerns and fears. Be empathetic and caring. Make sure to stress that the decision is their decision.Making a move to a senior living community is one of the most difficult decisions seniors will ever make. With preparation and patience and having the difficult conversation, the next step might be planning a move to embark on the next chapter for a loved one! Editors Note: This article was submitted by Ginger Apprich, Community Relations Director for Ovation. She can be reached at ginger.apprich@ovationbyavamere.com or 402-999-7900.

Close to family? Lots of activities? Easy access to medical care? How to choose a retirement communityMost of us have heard the saying when it comes to choosing a place to live, its all about location, location, location. This is especially true for adults looking for a place to call home in their golden years.Wheres your happy place?As we age, it is crucial to our overall health to stay both physically and socially active. Living in a luxury retirement community creates opportunities to live life to its fullest into later adulthood. However, not all communities offer the same environment and amenities. For this reason its important to first establish what your vision of a happy place to live looks like.Ask yourself the following questions:How close to family and friends do you want to live? Do you want to be close enough for frequent meetups? Maybe youre OK with distance as long as there are nearby attractions to enjoy when they visit.What atmosphere do you prefer? Are you looking for an urban, suburban or rural area to spend your days?What activities are you most interested in? Are there hobbies you want to be able to easily pursue?What are your current medical needs? What might arise in the near future? How important to you is the proximity to your medical care team and facilities?Once you have pondered these queries youre ready to start researching and comparing retirement communities in your desired location.Luxury living close to nature and city lifeOvation at Heartwood Preserve, located in West Omaha, offers an upscale urban setting for active adults to live, shop and play. Known as the Gateway to West Omaha and Omahas big new family room, theHeartwood Preserve, a 500-acre urban development, reimagines city life. Ovations luxury retirement community, nestled between Heartwood Preserves 80 acres of green space with ample parks and trails and the bustling downtown area filled with shops and restaurants, has something that will entertain any retiree.Positioned in the eastern part of Nebraska near the Iowa border, Ovation is just a drive away for loved ones in neighboring cities and states. With museums showcasing Omahas rich pioneer history, several family-friendly attractions and many opportunities for outdoor recreation, the list of things to do when they visit is endless.If healthcare is a top priority, there is easy access to a variety of healthcare facilities in the area such as the Nebraska Medicine and Omaha VA Medical Center, as well as specialty hospitals like Midwest Surgical Hospital and the OrthoNebraska Clinic. Not to mention Ovations assisted living and memory care living options

ToHaving a good memory is important after all, it helps make us who we are. We rely on our memory for everything from recollecting a fond childhood memory to remembering where we left our keys. Memory helps us do everyday tasks, like remembering how to work the TV remote to cooking our favorite meals. Our memory also helps provide us with a sense of self and a lifetime of experiences.Forgetfulness is a normal part of aging, according to theNational Institute on Aging, and memory problems become more common with age. Some folks have a memory issue, such as Alzheimers disease or another type of dementia, that requiresmemory support servicesdue to more significant, frequent lapses of memory. While other people have occasional trouble remembering where they put their cell phone, for example, or temporarily forget what day it is now and then.Although, as previously stated, memory loss is a normal part of aging, its important to continue to do brain exercises for seniors, like memory games, to work your memory muscles. Why? Because just like how your body needs exercise to stay healthy, your brain needs a regular workout too.What are Memory Games?Memory games are fun activities that help improve your ability to retain information that you have recently learned, and to recall that information later.Why Memory Games Are BeneficialResearchers are still working to understand the full benefits of brain games when it comes to memory. Astudy of 221 people ages 60 to 90found that older adults who learn new skills showed measurable improvements in their memory.Some of the main benefits of memory exercises for seniors (or brain games) include:Brain exercises are designed to help sharpen your thinking skills. Playing a memory improvement game challenges your brain to helpprevent memory problemsand improve brain function just 15 minutes a day is all it takes to improve the function of your brain.Thesocial interactionof playing games can also help reduce isolation, stress, and depression.Memory games allow you to fully immerse yourself in the moment so you stay in the present.Brain exercise games can help you to learn new skills.Perhaps most importantly, games are so much fun that you will want to spend time playing them.5 Types of Games That Can Help Improve MemoryLooking to improve your memory? Try the following senior brain games and exercises.1. Crossword PuzzlesCrossword puzzles are excellent memory exercises for seniors that test your vocabulary and knowledge of art, science, and modern culture. You can choose to do crossword puzzles in a traditional format, such as the newspaper or paperback book, or opt for an online puzzle either way, focus on challenging crossword puzzles that keep your brain engaged.2. ChessChess is an intellectually challenging game that requires a good short-term memory to analyze the board and to create a strategy; a good memory of your opponents past moves helps you anticipate their next move.3. SudokuYou play sudoku on a grid of 9 x 9 spaces, which is further divided into nine squares of 3 x 3 spaces. You place a number from 1 to 9 in each of the spaces in such a way that you do not repeat any of the numbers within any row, column or square. Successfully completing the game requires you to keep a large quantity of numbers in your head while you mentally place them on the grid.4. ConcentrationThis old card game still works wonders when it comes to improving your memory. Simply lay any number of cards face down on a table; flip two up at a time to try to make a match of card suits or numbers. Make it more challenging by laying the cards out in a messier arrangement, which makes it harder to remember where the cards were.5. Online Games for MemorySeveral websites, such asLumosity, offer games that can help you improve your memory. Other sites offer online versions of traditional games, such asAARPs daily crossword puzzle, memory matching games similar to Concentration fromMemozor, andWebsudokos sudoku.Exercises and Outdoor Activities Can Help Improve Memory for SeniorsPhysical activities especially those outdoors can help boost your memory power.Research shows that regular aerobic exercise that gets your heart pumping can actually increase the size of your hippocampus, which is the part of your brain responsible for verbal memory and learning. Exercising outdoors, even in the cold, can also improve your memory and attention.Outdoor activities and exercises beneficial for memory include:Walking research shows walking outdoors can improve short-term memory by as much as 20 percentGardening any gardening activity with low-to-moderate intensity, such as growing a vegetable garden, improves levels of memory-related proteins in the brainDay trips going for a drive strengthens your memory by enticing you to recollect details of the last time you traveled, challenges you to chart your course, and stimulates your senses