• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Southgate logo

Southgate at Shrewsbury

Retirement community near Shrewsbury and Worcester, MA

Search Website

Phone

1.800.492.8331

Residents’ Login

  • Home
  • A message from your Resident Services Director
  • About Us
    • Our Community
    • Our History
    • Campus
    • Residents’ Council
    • Testimonials
    • A Glimpse of Southgate
  • Today’s Menus
  • Staff Directory
  • Resident Handbook
  • Southgate YouTube Channel
  • Movies
  • Health Club
  • In-House News
  • Southgate Events
  • Hampton Suites Events
  • Location
    • Shrewsbury, Massachusetts
    • Local Dining
    • Shopping
    • Museums & Outdoor Spaces
    • Sporting Venues & Casinos
    • Theatres & Performance Halls
    • Universities & Colleges
  • Residences
    • Independent Living
    • Assisted Living – Hampton Suites at Southgate
    • Floor Plans
    • Continuum of Care
    • Medical Care
  • Lifestyle
    • Amenities
    • Dining
    • Events
  • Contact
    • Request More Information
    • Directions
    • Employment

independence

How To Spot Text Message Fraud & Avoid Scams

March 4, 2021 by Southgate

Text Messaging

When it comes to spotting scams, it is important to scrutinize all forms of digital communication—particularly those that do not come from somebody you know. In recent year, this has become more important in regard to text or multimedia messages to your phone.

While there will always be nefarious actors trying to scam others, you can safeguard yourself by following some best practices to protect yourself from these text message fraudsters. It’s time to shut the door on scammers!

Do You Know The Sender? Are You in an Active Conversation with Them?

Text or multimedia messages from people you have saved into your contacts or are in active conversation with and know are safe, but with the continued rise of digital technology, text and multimedia messaging has increasingly been used as a marketing tool.

This means you may have opted in to receiving messages from certain retailers or services. It is very important to make sure you know the text message is legitimate before opening the message. If you have recently ordered something online, and receive a message from the retailer such as Amazon or Best Buy, or if you receive a message from a delivery service such as FedEx or UPS, these are legitimate messages. If you opted in for routine marketing texts from certain retailers and you aren’t sure, call them to make sure the text is legitimate before opening it.

If the marketing texts you receive from companies come from the same number, consider saving it in your contacts to mark it as safe.

Additionally, if a text message comes in from an unknown number and refers to you as “Customer” instead of your name or misspells your name, this is surefire sign the message is fraudulent.

Avoid Clicking Links

Unless the link is sent by someone you personally know and actively converse with, the best practice is just avoid opening links from messages, altogether. Because scammers have become quite adept at imitating genuine retailers and services, it is always best to log in to the interface directly through your computer or an internet application on your phone.

For instance, if FedEx sends you a tracking update text message, you can always enter the package number directly into their website or log in to track packages if you have an account. The vast majority of retailers and services will allow you to track things this way, which is much safer.

Block Fraudulent Callers & Texters

Each time you see a fraudulent text or receive a spammy phone call, immediately cease communications and block the phone number. This is very easy to do on most devices.

Some text messages will obviously be fraudulent. You may see misspellings or come across awkward use of English grammar. The supposed company may be misspelled by one letter or the link may contain a slight spelling error. These are dead giveaways—block them and move on.

Be sure to practice the above with your text messages, and you will stop fraudsters in their digital tracks!

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: independence, independent living, senior living, technology

Unleash Your Inner Artist

August 4, 2014 by Southgate at Shrewsbury

Get Creative as You Age

Ah, retirement. You’ve finally entered the golden years, when you’re supposed to kick back, relax, and enjoy the reprieve from work that you rightfully deserve. There’s just one problem—what are you supposed to do with all of this extra time? If you’re feeling a bit anxious about transitioning from the daily grind of a full-time job into the laidback retirement lifestyle, don’t fret. The answer is simple: pursue an artistic hobby! Participating in the arts is a great way to stay active and involved with your community, and it’s also been proven to boost your wellness and happiness.

So what’s your artistic dream? Would you like to write a novel, or a collection of poems? Perhaps you’ve always wanted to learn how to paint, play an instrument, dance, act, or even produce a film. No matter your dream, retirement is the perfect time to embark on a new artistic journey. In the words of the venerable C.S. Lewis, “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”

Creative, Healthy Aging

It’s no secret that wellness and the arts go hand in hand. Numerous studies have shown that when you tap into your creative side, you’re simultaneously enhancing your personal health. One famous study conducted by Dr. Gene D. Cohen, director of the Center on Aging, Health & Humanities at George Washington University, found that senior citizens who were involved in weekly arts programs scheduled fewer doctor visits, took less medicine, were in better physical health, and performed better on mental health measures than seniors who did not participate in weekly arts programs.

“Engaging in community-based arts programs has a significant positive impact” on the health of older adults, says Gay Hanna, executive director of the National Center for Creative Aging. “What we’re finding is that older adults [who participate in the arts] have better brain health. The brain, contrary to the popularly-held belief, can continue to grow new cells just by being creatively engaged.”

Similar statistics were found in a study performed by Don D. Coffman, a professor at the University of Iowa. Published in 2009 in the International Journal of Community Music, Coffman’s study analyzed survey responses from more than 1,000 musicians in the New Horizons International Music Association. On average, New Horizons musicians are 70 years old, played an instrument in high school, and currently play their instruments for an hour each day.

The survey asked New Horizons musicians about their health and happiness. Approximately 74 percent of the survey respondents cited emotional well-being benefits from playing their instruments. Another 24 percent reported physical well-being benefits; 21 percent reported cognitive stimulation; and 20 percent believed they received socialization benefits.

As Hanna points out, socialization through arts participation is crucial to maintaining health and independence as you age. “Engaging in the arts allows a person to continue to learn and expand their social network, and to leave a legacy for their family and community,” she says.

Finding Your Niche

Once you’ve decided to get involved in the arts, the trick is finding a program that works for you. There are many ways to engage in the arts, so you don’t have to be Picasso to have a good time.  Here at Southgate at Shrewsbury, we pride ourselves on being a sophisticated, arts appreciative community.  Donald Flanagan, founding partner of Southgate, recognized that social, recreational, and artistic pursuits were the basis of a fulfilling lifestyle for seniors.  From our “Art Matters” course to our painting classes to our theatre productions to our summer concert series, Southgate at Shrewsbury has something for everyone to keep those creative juices flowing.

Filed Under: Blog, Healthy Living, Lifestyle Tagged With: assisted living, healthy, healthy living, independence, independent living, poetry, senior living

Primary Sidebar

independent living An uncompromised senior living experience for a sophisticated, active lifestyle with unsurpassed amenities. View Independent Living
Independence with assistance, fostering care, culture and community in beautiful surroundings. View Assisted Living
View Our Gallery

Wish To Learn More?

Call 1.800.492.8331 today!

Footer

  • Home
  • A message from your Resident Services Director
  • About Us
    • Our Community
    • Our History
    • Campus
    • Residents’ Council
    • Testimonials
    • A Glimpse of Southgate
  • Today’s Menus
  • Staff Directory
  • Resident Handbook
  • Southgate YouTube Channel
  • Movies
  • Health Club
  • In-House News
  • Southgate Events
  • Hampton Suites Events
  • Location
    • Shrewsbury, Massachusetts
    • Local Dining
    • Shopping
    • Museums & Outdoor Spaces
    • Sporting Venues & Casinos
    • Theatres & Performance Halls
    • Universities & Colleges
  • Residences
    • Independent Living
    • Assisted Living – Hampton Suites at Southgate
    • Floor Plans
    • Continuum of Care
    • Medical Care
  • Lifestyle
    • Amenities
    • Dining
    • Events
  • Contact
    • Request More Information
    • Directions
    • Employment

Copyright © 2023

We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website.

You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings.

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

3rd Party Cookies

This website uses Google Analytics to collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site, and the most popular pages.

Keeping this cookie enabled helps us to improve our website.

Please enable Strictly Necessary Cookies first so that we can save your preferences!