by Mike Cooper | Feb 11, 2024 | Activities, Educational, Informational, News, Uncategorized
By Mike Cooper
As the song goes, “Love is in the air, in the whisper of the trees. Love is in the air, in the thunder of the sea.” As we close in on Valentine’s Day this Sunday, there are many things pink and red in stores, on television and in ads. Retailers want you to believe that your loved one will love you more with a card, candy, jewelry, or dinner out.
I’m not suggesting that you skip getting your loved ones those things (my sweetie may see one or more of those), but what can you do for others, even strangers, that would make their day?
Here are a few suggestions:
- Pay it forward. When you go through a drive-thru, pay for the person’s coffee or meal in the car behind you. You have no idea how a small gesture like that can brighten someone’s day. If they do it for the next car, you will have started a trend to brighten the day for a lot of people.
- Shovel someone’s driveway. Whether an older person lives next to you or someone younger, shovel their drive when it snows just because. Right now the forecast calls for snow on Valentine’s Day; what better way to brighten someone’s day than clearing the snow for them.
- Make a meal for someone who can’t get out. Do you know an older adult who doesn’t go out much (or at all) or just someone who is sick or struggling? Make a meal and deliver it to them. If you are delivering to an older adult, make sure to have clear instructions on it for reheating. A hot meal can really warm the spirit! Better yet, invite them over for dinner.
- Make a call. Is there a relative or friend you haven’t talked to in a while (especially someone older)? (I mean really talked to, not just a post on Facebook.) Pick up the phone and call them. They would love to hear from you, just to know that someone is thinking of them. Ask them about a favorite Valentine memory.
Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to cost a fortune; you can make someone’s day in small ways. Just give it some thought.
Naperville Senior Center provides a warm, safe environment for your loved one when they can’t safely be on their own during the day. We provide them with a hot, noontime meal and the socialization to keep them from being lonely. Your loved one is truly our loved one.
Members are welcome to be as independent as they can safely be while they are with us. In fact, one of our Members drives himself to our center! He could go anywhere he wants, but due to the socialization and other cool things, he chooses to come here a few days a week. In addition to socialization, we encourage exercise, games and puzzles, singing, clapping, dancing, computer time and a host of other activities to provide mental and physical stimulation for our Members.
Call to action: contact us to schedule a FREE 3-hour trial at our facility so you can see what we have to offer and understand the Naperville Senior Center experience, “Home Away From Home”.
ADULT SERVICES FREE TRIAL LIMITED TIME OFFER
Please fill out this form below or call us at (630) 857-3017
Free TRIAL is for new Members and their caregiver.
The trial visit is Monday-Friday from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Tour our adult day services facility.
Observe some fun activities. Join us for lunch. Learn more at our Senior Adult Day Care center FREE TRIAL
Receive Peace of Mind.
*** No obligation! ***
Learn more about Naperville Senior Citizen services and upcoming events.
by Mike Cooper | Feb 3, 2024 | Health and Wellness
5 Things You Should Do Now to Stay Healthy in Your Senior Years
Senior Health
Wouldn’t it be great if we could take a sip from the fountain of youth and not have to worry about getting older? But like the song (and Bible verse) goes, to everything there is a season. Every day we get a little older, but we don’t have to go down without a fight! Senior Health
There may not be that magical fountain of youth, but there are a variety of things we can do at any age to help ourselves be healthy and happy in our senior years. Whether you are 45 or 65 years old, little changes to what you do, what you eat and your outlook on life can make a big difference.
Here are 5 things you should do now to stay healthy as you age:
- It takes 21 days to create a habit. Start by doing something small – walking for 5 minutes – and build on it over time. We all have to start somewhere. Like the slogan says, ‘Just do it.’
- Be consistent. If you do take that walk, do it at the same time on the same days of the week. Being repetitive will help create that habit and have it stick over time.
- Be positive. Research has shown that positive thinking can help you feel better longer. You have a choice to react positively or negatively to any situation; choose to be positive!
Eat well most of the time. We all have our ‘favorites’ – cookies, candy, ice cream, chips and dip. That’s okay once-in-a-while; but spend most of the time eating foods that are good FOR you, not just good. It’s all about moderation; your body will thank you for it. Senior Health Tips- Be social. Humans are social creatures and crave interaction with others. So get out there and be social. You can get involved with your church, community groups, or senior centers, like Naperville Senior Center.
Aging is inevitable, but there are a variety of things we can do to help our bodies and minds age more slowly than our years. However, if your aging loved one needs to be in a safe environment with other seniors during the day, check out what Naperville Senior Center has to offer.
Contact us to schedule a FREE 3-hour trial at our facility so you can see what we have to offer and understand the Naperville Senior Center experience, Home Away From Home.
Would you like more information about how Naperville Senior Center can provide your loved ones with the warmth, care and comforts of home for just the day? Click here to keep informed by joining our mailing list.
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ADULT SERVICES FREE TRIAL LIMITED TIME OFFER
Please fill out this form below or call us at (630) 857-3017
Free TRIAL is for new Members and their caregiver.
The trial visit is Monday-Friday from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Tour our adult day services facility.
Observe some fun activities. Join us for lunch. Learn more at our Senior Adult Day Care center FREE TRIAL
Receive Peace of Mind.
*** No obligation! ***
Learn more about Naperville Senior Citizen services and upcoming events.
by Naperville Senior Center | Jan 28, 2024 | Activities
The Top 5 Senior Activities To Keep The Mind & Body Healthy
Elder Care Services Naperville
Why do some older adults feel good and stay active into their senior years, but others age much more rapidly? There are a variety of factors that contribute to a senior’s well-being such as physical activity, cognitive function, and social interaction. At Naperville Senior Center, we provide high quality elder care services, activities and nutritional meals daily.
Many studies have shown the correlation between physical activity and increased mental cognition. It is important to use the body and mind in order to keep both from weakening as we age. What you do now to strengthen your body and mind will affect how you feel as you age, so start thinking about what you can do to increase those chances.
But what about a loved one who is already in their senior years? At any age, there are activities that are healthy for the body and mind; keeping the brain active, involving social interaction and having fun!
Here are 5 activities that can keep your mind and body healthy:
- Walking: a brisk 30-minute walk strengthens your heart and burns calories. Physical activity can also help increase mental cognition.
- Games: whether card or board games, crossword or jigsaw puzzles, playing games may help prevent dementia by exercising one’s mind.
- Story Telling: seniors who use their imaginations instead of trying to use their memory can improve their mood, communication and social interactions.
- Arts & Crafts: more seniors are discovering the rewards of finding a new hobby or rediscovering a
pleasurable craft from their past.
- Social Activities: humans are social creatures. While there are there are activities that you can do alone to enrich your spirit, group activities are, by far, more satisfying for most people.
Whether you are a boomer or a millennial, keeping your mind and body healthy should be something you work on regularly. There are plenty of activities for all ages and levels of physical or mental capacity. You just have to start! We have fun activities and elder care services to meet your needs.
Contact us to schedule a FREE 3-hour trial at our facility so you can see what we have to offer and understand the Naperville Senior Center experience, Home Away From Home.
Would you like more information regarding how the Naperville Senior Center will provide these activities and elder care services to its seniors? Click here to keep informed by joining our mailing list.
ADULT SERVICES FREE TRIAL LIMITED TIME OFFER
Please fill out this form below or call us at (630) 857-3017
Free TRIAL is for new Members and their caregiver.
The trial visit is Monday-Friday from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Tour our adult day services facility.
Observe some fun activities. Join us for lunch. Learn more at our Senior Adult Day Care center FREE TRIAL
Receive Peace of Mind.
*** No obligation! ***
Learn more about Naperville Senior Citizen services and upcoming events.
by Mike Cooper | Jan 13, 2024 | Exercise
3 Ways to Have Fun While Exercising to Keep Warm in the Winter
Winter in the northern United States means it is cold, wet and dreary. The furnace is running and we are layered up to stay warm. We prefer soup and hot drinks instead of the cool ones of summer. It doesn’t paint pretty picture, does it?
During these cold winter months, our focus is on staying warm – warm clothes, warm food, warm drinks, warm homes. But there is another way to stay warm without having to bundle up and crank up the heat. It’s called exercise. I know…that dreaded E-word! But exercise does not have to seem like a chore. It can be fun, entertaining and enjoyable if you want it to be.
In addition, when people finish exercising, they tend to have a positive attitude; they feel good about what they have accomplished. Exercising not only helps your body, but it can help your mind and your spirit too! In fact, according to Heidi Godman, Executive Editor, Harvard Health Letter, “Regular exercise changes the brain to improve memory, thinking skills.” With new cases of dementia being identified every four seconds, you are doing your brain, as well as your body, a favor.
I hear you asking, “But Mike, where’s the ‘fun, entertaining and enjoyable’ part?” There are a few ways to make exercise fun!
Here are 3 ways to have fun while exercising to keep warm this winter:
Dance. You don’t have to know how to tango or jive to dance. Just turn on the radio or your playlist and groove to whatever music you enjoy. After you get your feet moving, your arms are next. Suddenly you’re dancing, enjoying yourself, and yes, exercising! Instead of watching TV every night, crank up some smooth jazz, grab your partner and dance around the first floor of your house. You’ll both me smiling and spending some quality time together.- Play Wii. There are many Wii games you can play which will increase your heart rate. Baseball, tennis, boxing, even bowling! You are moving your whole body – arms, legs and core. Is it the same as doing those sports for real? No. But if you want your senior loved one to get some exercise, it may be exactly what they need. In addition, if they are doing it with someone else, they are getting the social interaction they need as well.
Walk, Skip, Jump. Remember how much fun you had skipping down the street when you were a kid. You would jump over cracks or puddles in the sidewalk. Life was carefree back then. What is holding you back now? You may not skip down the street, but you could jump rope (even if you don’t have a jump rope in your hand). Skipping in place or around your house or yard would get your heart rate up too. If you or your senior loved one can’t skip or jump, walking is good for you too. Everybody should walk at least 10 minutes a day. If you don’t have a walking track, walk around the house… down the hall, through the kitchen, through the dining room, down the hall… repeat.- Do Yoga. Yoga helps improve muscle tone and strength, flexibility and posture. It also helps to reduce stress and improve your mood. Seniors can do chair yoga in order to get the benefits in a safer environment.
Our Members have fun!
At Naperville Senior Center we do all of these things to keep our Members active, alert and happy so they can have fun. We not only want them to feel like we are their ‘home away from home’ but we want them to have more fun here! At home they might not get the chance to dance, play Wii sports or walk around. They might not otherwise have the kind of comradery they get with other Members and our staff throughout the day. We are thrilled that they can get that kind of physical, mental and social stimulation while they are with us!
Call to action: to learn more about how NSC can provide a respite for you and a great social environment for your loved one where they can have fun, contact us at 630.857.3017. You can also schedule a tour to see what we have to offer and understand the Naperville Senior Center experience, “Home Away From Home.
ADULT SERVICES FREE TRIAL LIMITED TIME OFFER
Please fill out this form below or call us at (630) 857-3017
Free TRIAL is for new Members and their caregiver.
The trial visit is Monday-Friday from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Tour our adult day services facility.
Observe some fun activities. Join us for lunch. Learn more at our Senior Adult Day Care center FREE TRIAL
Receive Peace of Mind.
*** No obligation! ***
Learn more about Naperville Senior Citizen services and upcoming events.
by Jerry Hall | Oct 20, 2023 | Activities
If you’ve ever pondered the question, “What is adult daycare?” you’re not alone. These centers offer various beneficial services for seniors and their caregivers, yet many remain unaware of their advantages.
What Adult Day Care Centers Provide
Adult daycare centers serve as daytime sanctuaries for seniors requiring care. Far from just being a place to pass the hours, they’re vibrant hubs of activity. Seniors here are not merely spending time but actively socializing, participating in stimulating events and receiving necessary health services.
While different centers have specific focus areas, all aim to mentally and socially stimulate seniors, giving caregivers the necessary break they deserve. Here’s a brief rundown of what one might expect:
Social Activities: Centers offer activities from arts and crafts to musical sessions for senior engagement. They also provide meals tailored to the dietary needs of aging.
Personal Care: This involves assisting seniors with daily routines like grooming and walking.
Transportation: Some centers, like Naperville Senior Center, handle logistics.
Diving Deeper into Adult Day Care
At its core, adult daycare offers structured activities in professional settings for older adults needing supervised care during the day or those feeling isolated. Facilities differ in the services they provide. Some focus on social and recreational services with limited health-related services. Others might offer extensive medical and therapeutic services, including therapy or medical services by registered health professionals. Centers also cater to adults with specific conditions like dementia or disabilities.
Features of a Standard Adult Day Care Center
Social Activities: These are adjusted according to participants’ abilities, spanning arts, music, games, discussions, and local outings.
Nutrition: They prioritize serving nutritious meals and snacks, accommodating special dietary needs.
Personal Care: Staff at these centers can assist with activities of daily living.
Health Services vary but can include medication management, blood pressure monitoring, and more intensive medical services.
Transportation: Some centers offer local transit.
Caregiver Services: Counseling, support groups, and caregiving education might be available. Unique programs, like The GOLD Project in California, foster intergenerational interactions, benefiting seniors and children.
The Advantages of Adult Day Care
Adult daycare presents a solution beneficial for both senior attending and their primary caregivers. For caregivers, these centers provide crucial respite, alleviating the stress of constant caregiving. For seniors, participation can enhance or even maintain their independence levels. Caregivers need to remember that taking breaks is vital for mental health, ultimately benefiting the relationship with the person they’re caring for.
Is Adult Day Care Right for You?
For seniors, admitting a need for help or companionship can be challenging, especially for those who’ve been fiercely independent. Yet, recognizing when to ask for help is a hallmark of true independence. Caregivers, too, may hesitate to hand over their loved ones to “strangers.” However, periodic breaks are crucial for the caregiver’s health and can reinvigorate relationships.
Choosing to seek daycare services can be challenging. However, seeking assistance denotes strength, not weakness. Whether you’re a senior feeling the pangs of isolation or a caregiver needing respite, places like Naperville Senior Center provide the solution.
When to Opt for Adult Day Care
The optimal time to consider adult day care is before it becomes necessary. Indicators that a senior might benefit include:
- An inability to structure daily activities.
- A feeling of isolation and a longing for companionship.
- Unsafe conditions when left alone.
- Living with someone often away from home.
- Ideal candidates for centers like Naperville Senior Center might be seniors in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, those who can benefit from the company and assistance, or those who might be physically or cognitively challenged but don’t need round-the-clock supervision.
In essence, centers like Naperville Senior Center are not just service providers but communities that care for seniors and their caregivers. Given the increasing costs of adult daycare, finding the correct center is imperative to ensure optimal care for loved ones.
Call to action: to learn more about how NSC can provide a respite for you and a great social environment for your loved one where they can have fun, contact us at 630.857.3017. You can also schedule a tour to see what we have to offer and understand the Naperville Senior Center experience, “Home Away From Home.
