assisted living blogs by Maranatha Village

How to Beat Seasonal Depression: Tips for Seniors in Assisted Living

Posted on January 14, 2022January 11, 2022 by Maranatha Village

Cold, icy weather, along with longer nights and shorter days, can depress just about anyone. But for many seniors in assisted living homes, seasonal depression might make their mood plummet. However, seasonal depression can be overcome!

In today’s post, Maranatha Village gives some great tips on how to help elderly residents beat Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and stay positive, hopeful and inspired during the winter blues.

Get Moving, Get Active

Exercise releases endorphins, the “happy chemical” for the brain that lifts moods. Regular movement and bodily activity are important regardless of one’s age. But as people get older, it becomes more difficult.

It can be hard to find good exercise routines for residents who have limited mobility. But it’s still doable.

One of our trained faculty members at Maranatha Village can aid you in creating a personalized exercise routine that takes into account any bodily limitations you may have. Small lifestyle changes also aid in promoting regular activity.

Be sure to eliminate sugary foods, sweets or sodas from your diet. Instead, eat a diet with more lean proteins, fruits and vegetables. You’ll have more energy for exercise and a better mood.

Eat Healthy Food Options

Cut out excessive sugary foods and sweets. Instead, start eating a more balanced diet of fruits and vegetables. Your body and mind will thank you. Eliminate or limit how much alcohol you drink — which is a depressant, mind you — down to just one or two glasses a week.

Get More Sunlight

Open the blinds and let more sunlight in through the window. Winter is a time for less sunlight, and thus a vitamin D deficiency. This impairs positive emotion. Taking a supplement may also help, but spending more time in sunlight is a good substitute.

Seek Professional Help

Knowing the signs of seasonal depression is half the battle. Talking to a doctor about how you feel helps you win it.

They can recommend lifestyle changes, medications or therapy to help overcome feelings of depression. Sometimes just speaking with somebody who will listen is just what you need.

Socialize and Connect

Spend more time with family and friends. If that’s not an option, get involved in community activities at Maranatha Village. Humans are social creatures that need connection with others. Feelings of isolation contribute to seasonal depression.

Knowing that fact, we seek to give our residents an active, engaging lifestyle and a strong sense of community by offering plenty of activities and events for seniors.

Reminisce Over Family Memories

Get out the scrapbook and family photo album or videos. Reminisce with someone over fond memories of family or friends. This will help to spark hopeful, happy thoughts and emotions.

Volunteer or Serve Others

Even in assisted living situations, there are plenty of ways to be of service to other people. You can knit, help with cleaning, collaborate on small creative projects or spend time actively listening to someone. Helping other people and practicing gratitude helps lift the spirit.

Make Maranatha Village Your New Home

We love making sure our residents feel happy, comfortable and fulfilled all year long. For more information about our assisted and independent living services, or our rehabilitation services, contact us today. Call 417-833-0016 or email us.

5 Fun and Unique Social Activities for Seniors in Assisted Living Communities

Posted on October 15, 2021October 29, 2021 by Maranatha Village

When you hear the words “assisted living activities,” you might think of bingo or jigsaw puzzles. But seniors, even those in need of assisted living, are still robust and interesting people who deserve more than the same old clichéd activities.

In this blog post, Maranatha Village, a top-rated assisted living facility in Springfield, MO, shares five fun activities for seniors in assisted living communities.

#1: Life Story Exercises

Seniors are some of the most interesting people you’ll ever meet. What better activity to learn more about the fascinating residents in assisted living than hearing them tell their life stories?

This can be done as a group activity involving a combination of crafting photo collages, creative writing, and oral storytelling. Seniors get to relive their favorite memories while getting to know their fellow residents on a deeper level.

#2: Jewelry Making

Crafting doesn’t have to involve paper maché or scrapbooking! A unique crafting idea is jewelry-making. Residents can use their creativity and aesthetic talent to create earrings, bracelets, necklaces, and brooches.

Assisted living residents can keep their fine motor skills sharp while creating beautiful artwork they can wear, give to loved ones or sell to raise money for charity.

#3: Continuing Education

Seniors give a new meaning to “non-traditional” students! Retirement is the perfect age to spend time learning about new topics.

Here in Springfield, Missouri, where Maranatha Village is located, is home to Missouri State University. Through the MSU 62 program, seniors aged 62 and up may take one class per semester, tuition-free.

#4: Book Clubs

Okay, so book clubs are not exactly unique–but they’re still pretty fun. Seniors can get together and discuss exciting titles and the meaning they derive from them.

Book clubs can be themed, such as historical fiction, biographies, spiritual themes, and anything residents are interested in.

#5: Gardening Clubs

Gardening clubs are a way for seniors to bloom and for friendships to blossom. Residents can share gardening tips and assist each other with planning, planting, and harvesting crops.

After harvests, residents can get together and cook a meal together, consisting of the fresh produce they’ve helped each other grow and harvest.

Assisted Living at Maranatha Village

Our residents are never bored at Maranatha Village in Springfield, MO! Our residents participate in many of the above activities and more. We offer both assisted and independent living options, including houses, duplexes, and apartments. For more information about our assisted living options, contact us today!

How to Find the Best Assisted Living Facility for Your Loved One From Maranatha Village Springfield

Posted on September 16, 2021November 9, 2021 by Maranatha Village

If your loved one has trouble completing daily activities such as managing medications, eating, bathing, or housekeeping, assisted living might be the perfect supportive community for them.

Assisted living facilities allow residents to maintain as much independence as possible while providing round-the-clock assistance and access to medical care. There are bound to be many assisted living facilities in your area–so how do you pick the right one for your loved one when the time comes?

In this blog post, Maranatha Village, assisted living facility in Springfield, MO, shares a few valuable tips for finding the perfect facility for your loved one.

Do Your Research

When searching for the right assisted living facility, the first step is to do some research. Find out which facilities are in your community, and call to schedule a tour.

It’s also a great idea to ask friends, family and trusted medical providers if they have a place they recommend from their experience.

During your initial research and phone calls, you’ll be able to rule out any facilities that don’t offer services your loved one needs and decide which ones to visit.

At Maranatha Village in Springfield, we are glad to offer you a tour of our assisted living facility anytime!

Ask Questions

During your tour, you and your loved one will get a feel for the atmosphere, quality of the facility and services, and the kindness and competence of the staff.

You’ll want to compile a list of important questions to ask the staff, such as:

What services/amenities do you offer?
What types of medical services do you provide to residents?
Do you allow pets in your facility?
How would you describe the social environment here?
What are staff hours, and what are your emergency protocols?

At Maranatha Village, our assisted living facility staff is glad to spend as much time needed answering all your questions. We also offer a FAQ section on our website!

Involve Your Loved One

When making a final decision, consider your loved one’s interests, hobbies, and other social habits. Do they love to socialize with peers? Do they enjoy attending church services? Do they play games or do crafts? Which facility best fits these interests?

You’ll also want to ask your loved one how they feel after touring the facilities. Which one did they feel most comfortable in? Did they connect well with the staff and residents?

Come and Tour Maranatha Village

The caring staff at Maranatha Village in Springfield, MO, would love to give you a tour! Our assisted living option provides 24/7 healthcare with all the comforts and amenities of home. We offer both assisted and independent living options including houses, duplexes, and apartments. Call us today at 417-833-0016 for a tour of our beautiful 100-acre campus. Stop by in person, or contact us online.

Tag: assisted living