Palms of Fort Myers, The

For more information on The Palms of Fort Myers, Click Here.Because we care: Five Star Senior Living nears 100% vaccinationThere are many ways to tell someone you love them. You can say it with flowers, a hug, an act of kindness or a heartfelt letter. You can listen or laugh or cry with them. You can simply say, I love you. But prior to last December when the first COVID-19 vaccine was approved, you probably wouldn't have included I got vaccinated among your choices.Yet, for those eligible, getting vaccinated is a powerful way to show you care for others, be they family, friends, neighbors, coworkers or other members of the human family. That is why were pleased to announce that virtually 100% of our Five Star Senior Living team members are now vaccinated against COVID-19.We were one of the first national public companies to mandate vaccination, and we are among the first to be almost fully vaccinated. Its an important achievement and one we take pride in. (Maybe you've seen our social media campaign, HIGH FIVE!)Most of all, though, were excited to tell our residents and families that together with our high resident vaccination rate of nearly 90%, Five Star communities and clinics are among the safest places to live and work.A commitment to safety and each otherWe often say the health and well-being of our residents, clients and team members is our highest priority at Five Star. And we mean it. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, we proved it time and time again by meeting and exceeding shelter-in-place guidelines, even when that was difficult to do or not the popular choice. Thanks to our team members and with the cooperation of our residents, clients and their families, all of our communities reopened to visitors and new residents in early May 2021 and remain open!On June 1, 2021, for the continued safety of everyone and as part of our commitment to industry well-being best practices, we made the decision to require a COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment for all team members working in Five Star communities effective Sept. 1. We are pleased and proud of the overwhelming number who received the vaccine.It was not easy, but we did it together.Supporting our communitiesWhen we announced our vaccination mandate on June 1, Five Star had already demonstrated a commitment to the health and well-being of its communities through multiple vaccination efforts supporting residents and team members:Every Five Star community completed a series of three vaccine clinics open to all Five Star residents and team members.Five Star hosted vaccine education town halls for its team members led by its Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Priti Jindal, and also instituted peer-to-peer networks to provide information and support.Following opening back up, residents and team members continued to have access to the vaccine at Five Star communities as well as through local community resources.Through Five Stars relationship with Omnicare/CVS, team members were given access to a concierge service designed to help navigate and schedule vaccinations.The safest places to work and playAll of these efforts have helped make Five Star communities and clinics among the safest places in senior living to live and work. For those considering a move to senior living for themselves or a loved one, it also means greater assurance of safety, health and well-being, and a lot less worry.Wouldn't you or your loved one prefer to live where everyone's safety matters? Check out Five Star Senior Living communities in your area. You'll find living that's easy and people who care, 100% of the time.

For more information on The Palms of Fort Myers, Click Here.Many of us, regardless of age, have the same New Years resolution every year: to be more active. Though often referring to physical activity, being active isn't just about exercise. An active lifestyle may also include activities like volunteering, painting or even meeting up regularly with friends for happy hour.Everyone can benefit from an active lifestyle. For older adults, though, active senior living can do wonders for each of the five dimensions of wellness physical, intellectual ,social, emotional and spiritual key to a healthy and well-rounded life. For example, studies show that seniors over age 74 experience the largest relative gains in survival and healthy life from physical activity. But those activities that focus on the other dimensions of wellness can be just as beneficial.Here are four of the most life-changing benefits of active senior living.Increased life expectancyThe guidelines issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommend that older adults engage in at least 150 min of moderate-intensity, or 75 min of vigorous, aerobic physical activity per week. Because studies show an overall lower risk of mortality and a significant decrease in functional abilities of adults who are physically active (versus those who are sedentary), every effort should be made for seniors to get moving.Active senior living activities that might be suitable include, taking walks as tolerated, chair exercises, slow stretching and flexibility exercises. Or, consider outdoor hobbies such as gardening, fishing or birdwatching.Mental acuityEven if you are limited in your mobility, staying active with puzzles, card games, crafting, knitting, writing, reading and music can make your golden years some of the best.Alzheimer's experts have found a connection between lifelong readers and dementia. Those who show a lifelong practice of reading and writing experienced 14% less decline in their mental capacity at the end of their lives versus those who did not engage in such activities. Even if you don't start sharpening your brain until late, however, doing brain exercises can help build brain cells and preserve the precious connections between them. Incorporating mental exercises into an active senior living routine is not only a maintenance task; it can improve function at the cellular level.Loving communityThat brings us to one of the best parts of growing older: friendships. With 70 to 80 years of connections, it can be hard to see how anyone in their old age could be lonely. The truth is that it can take a bit of work to nurture those relationships, especially if we move or change activities in those later years. Finding an active senior living community that puts people first is a crucial first step in ensuring you never have to be alone.Whether you join a club, show up for an activity that attracts curious and congenial participants, or seek out new faces at a place of worship, the act of extending a handshake wont go unrewarded. Social activities are among the most valued in the senior years, as these can sustain through even the most challenging obstacles of aging.Peace of mindFinally, being at peace is something we all want to say we achieved in life. There's no better time to find spiritual fulfillment than as an older adult. Whether you choose to worship, pray, meditate, or simply reflect on the deep philosophical connections we have with the world around us, the benefits include a deeper sense of purpose at a time that can be difficult for some seniors.Lifestyle360: Five Stars Innovative Approach to Active Senior LivingWe all could use a little help with our New Years resolutions, especially when its to be more active. At Five Star, its our passion to help our residents enjoy a healthy, fulfilled life guided by the five dimensions of wellness. Thats the vision behind our award-winningLifestyle360active senior living program that offers enriching activities every day like tai chi, book clubs, jewelry making, cultural excursions, religious services and so much more.

As worries about the COVID-19 crisis persist, seniors are turning to online shopping for everything from groceries to ordering stamps from the post office. With a few clicks you can order necessities and have them delivered right to your door. Unfortunately, not every online store is legitimate.According to the FBIs Internet Crime Complaint Center, shoppers filed nearly 467,361 online-theft complaints in 2019. Those complaints resulted in a whopping $3.5 billion lost. As the spread of coronavirus lingers, its essential for older adults to learn how to stay safe online.In honor of National Cyber Security Awareness Month, recognized every October, we share five tips for online shoppers.5 Safety Tips for the Online ShopperOrder from stores you know and trust offline.While many online stores are safe and legitimate, others aren't. Knowing which ones are safe and which to avoid can be challenging. One suggestion is to buy from stores online that you enjoy shopping at in person. In addition to protecting your identity and privacy, this approach also ensures the quality of the products you are ordering.Beware of links in emails.Scammers have become quite sophisticated. Their emails can even look identical to those from popular stores and financial institutions. Its often impossible to tell which are legitimate and which arent.Beware of emails encouraging you to click on a link. It might ask you to update your account or say its time to change your password. If you click on the link, you are often taken to a website designed to steal your data and financial information. Instead, go directly to the company's website or call them to validate the authenticity of any concerning messages you receive.Check the sites security.Another tip is to make sure a sites web address begins with a tiny icon of a lock and includes https. That combination signals a site is secure. If you dont see that lock or the s after http, the webpage may not be safe. Entering credit card information on a site like this can put you at risk for fraud.Use a credit card, not debit.If you shop online using a debit card instead of a credit card, a thief can drain your checking or savings account before you realize anything is wrong. If the vendor you buy from isnt legitimate, the credit card company will be able to protect you. Your bank probably can too, but it usually takes longer. Money might not be available from your accounts while the matter is under investigation.Monitor monthly statements.Lastly, review account charges and debits every month. More often is even better. Make sure the charges listed are for purchases you made and that you are credited for any returns. Since the COVID-19 crisis has placed high demand on shipping companies and the postal service, packages are being delayed and lost in higher numbers.Written and Submitted By: Five Star Living- click below for more information on their multiple locations*The Palms of Fort MyersSpringwood Court