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Southgate at Shrewsbury

Retirement community near Shrewsbury and Worcester, MA

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1.800.492.8331

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Southgate & CVS Vaccinate Residents Successfully

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After several weeks of preplanning, Southgate at Shrewsbury and CVS Pharmacy orchestrated six successful vaccine clinics to deliver the COVID-19 vaccine safely and efficiently to their residents and staff.

CVS & Southgate Teams. Featured in this Photo are Kate Aleksiewicz, Lead Pharmacist and members of her CVS pharmacy staff, Southgate employees Sheila Meucci, Health & Wellness Director; Kara Ewick, Resident Services Director; Deborah Bourque, Resident Liaison; Rogerio Neves, Housekeeping Director; William Zangarine, Hampton Suites Director.

Southgate at Shrewsbury management organized the clinic to ensure that social distancing protocols were followed and that common surfaces were sanitized between each appointment. Many Southgate staff volunteered to assist in setting up and running separate pre-registration areas for temperature screening, a quiet area where staff could assist residents with paperwork, a CVS registration table, and four screened-off areas for vaccination and observation.

Not even a challenge from an impressive Nor’easter storm could halt the efforts of Southgate and CVS to safely vaccinate residents and staff. To ensure delivery of the second vaccine, Southgate provided their guest apartment with dining accommodations to CVS pharmacists, who stayed overnight to ensure the clinic could be held the day following the storm.

Lead Pharmacist Kate Aleksiewicz and her CVS Pharmacy team brave a nor’easter  to vaccinate over 200 Residents and Employee

In a letter to Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, Southgate CEO Dana Levenson wrote, “We could not have higher praise for the folks from CVS. Our residents and employees have been thanking us for the vaccinations, but it truly should be us thanking you and CVS.”

Of the team at Southgate at Shrewsbury, Executive Vice President Patricia A. LaCross provided the following comment:

“Our Southgate staff have been very present during the last 11 months of COVID, stepping up to guard the stations at our entrances to screen guests 24 hours a day, providing services safely to the best of their ability, and working the day-long vaccine clinics to assure that operations ran smoothly, so there were no missed opportunities to vaccinate our Residents. We have a real committed staff, and I honestly couldn’t be prouder of our team. I call them Southgate Warriors!”

Last Clinic Day: Bill Zangarine and Kara Ewick presented several gift baskets to the CVS Pharmacy Team in thanks for their extraordinary effort to vaccine our entire Southgate Community.

 

Maintaining Our Hearing As We Age

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Did you hear that? Maybe it was popcorn popping in the kitchen, or perhaps the pattering of your dog’s feet as he scampered across the floor. Was is the birds waking and chirping, outside your window?

Our environments are filled with unique sounds, and a simple sound can trigger an emotional response that takes you back through beautiful memories or to faraway places. Taking care of hearing as we age will help us ensure a higher quality of perception and life.

We have all heard that we need to wear earmuffs or ear plugs in loud places like concerts, and not to turn the volume up too loudly on our headphones. Those are good practices, but what else can we do to help preserve our hearing, as we get older? The following tips will help you do your best to maintain and even potentially strengthen your hearing.

Eat for Your Ears

Hearing contributes to the enjoyment of eating. That satisfying “crunch” sound created by something like a tortilla chip, or that “squirt” noise from an extra-juicy peach are examples of how sound enhances the eating experience—but that’s not what we mean by “eat for your ears!”

A recent 22-year study conducted by medical professionals associated with Brigham and Women’s Hospital found that simply following one of three healthy diets decreased likelihood of hearing loss by at least 30 percent; the Alternative Mediterranean Diet (AMED), Dietary Approaches to Hypertension (DASH), or the Alternative Healthy Eating Index-2010 (AHEI-2010).

On a more micro level, certain nutrients like folic acid have been linked to a decline in hearing loss associated with aging populations. Legumes, broccoli, asparagus and beets contain some of the highest contents of folic acid. This list of 15 foods from Healthline is a great place to start.

Zinc may not be a mineral you think of often, but it is very important for both a healthy immune system and the defense against hearing loss. This particular study found an improvement in tinnitus and sensorineural hearing loss in one-third of elderly adults. Those numbers are encouraging when you compare them to this study from Oregon State University that estimates as many as 40% of the elderly population may be zinc deficient. Adding more zinc to your diet is not a daunting task—try eating more dark chocolate, sweet potatoes, cashews, or a number of the other delicious foods on this list from WorldHealth.

Diets rich in vitamins A and C in conjunction with magnesium have been shown to halt the production of damaging free-radical molecules that attack the sensitive hairs in our inner hair we use to hear properly. Great sources of vitamin A include carrots, red peppers, beef liver, and even vanilla ice cream! Eat This, Not That put together a list of eight great food filled with Vitamin A.

For Vitamin C, we have all heard of citrus, but foods like bell peppers, guavas and strawberries have even more of this vital antioxidant! MyFoodData put together a list of the top ten foods highest in vitamin C. Here’s a hint: hit the produce aisle!

To increase your magnesium intake, look to pumpkin seeds, almonds, soymilk, and even shredded wheat cereal. Many of the foods you love may be higher on this list of foods with magnesium from the Cleveland Clinic.

Get Your Hearing Tested Regularly

As with all health matters, prevention is key. So be sure to talk to your doctor about your own personal hearing health and be sure to get regular checkups.

Protecting our ears is not something we tend to think about on a daily basis—even though we use them all the time! Even when we are sleeping, our ears are active. We use them beyond just our basic communication—we use them to perceive so much about the world around us and rely on them to activate certain mental and physical responses.

If you eat for your ears and follow the above best practices, you will greatly increase the likelihood your hearing remains strong as you age. Now sit back, close your eyes, and just listen …

10 Ways to Boost Your Energy

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A few wrinkles and gray hairs doesn’t mean slowing down. Healthy habits are the key to maintaining a satisfying quality of life well into one’s golden years. Not only that, a healthy day-to-day routine helps you weather life’s challenges, enables you to handle the inevitable physical changes of aging – and even boosts energy.

What are the most critical habits you should adopt for more energy and vitality? Read on for ten tips that will benefit not just your life but your entire family.

1. Best Energy Generating Exercises

Brisk walks are among the top ways to jump start your metabolism. Deep abdominal breathing activates your core muscles as well as your entire system. Aerobic exercises such as dancing, jumping rope, or even hopping up and down help to transport oxygen throughout the body.

2. Eat High Protein Foods

If you notice you’re feeling groggy after eating a meal featuring bread and pasta, it’s because carbohydrates stimulate your body’s production of sleep producing serotonin. Instead, opt for a main course of lean proteins such as tuna, chicken or turkey on a bed of spinach or quinoa. Hard boiled eggs help to boost your protein levels and are also rich in B vitamins and vitamin D. Edamame has over 7 grams of protein. Pumpkin seeds are a good source of protein, healthy fats and fiber, keeping you feeling full and energized longer.

3. Stay Hydrated

Drink water and herbal tea throughout the day to stay hydrated. Eating four cups of water-rich produce daily, such as watermelon, cucumber and lettuce, can help you stay hydrated too. Getting plenty of fluids is important for everyone, but particularly for seniors, who are at increased risk of dehydration. “Dehydration is common in seniors due to decreased feelings of thirst, medications and diseases that increase your fluid needs, and decrease in overall food and beverage intake,” says Heather Schwartz, a Registered Dietitian working at Stanford Hospital and Clinics. Dehydration can lead to fatigue and other negative physical effects, so be sure your loved ones get the recommended amount of fluids—around 2 liters per day.

4. Don’t Smoke

If you smoke, talk to a health provider about quitting – it can add years back to your life. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, smoking is the top cause of preventable illness and death in this country. Quitting will reduce the risk of chronic disease, improve taste and smell, free up your breathing – and boost overall energy and health.

5. Practice Healthy Stress Management

The physical and mental changes of older age – not to mention life’s unforeseen challenges – can lead to stress, which takes a toll on the heart, the body and the soul. For all of us, taking steps to reduce stress and practice healthy coping strategies, such as acknowledging our emotions and seeking help when we need it, promotes resilience, energy and a positive perspective on life. Mindful meditation can be a healthy option for managing your stress. Mindfulness helps you stay in the moment and reduces anxiety.

6. Get Plenty of Sleep

Sleep problems such as insomnia or frequent waking can be an issue as we age, leading to daytime sleepiness and loss of energy. Fostering good sleep habits can help ward off such problems. HelpGuide.org suggests going to bed when you feel tired; developing soothing bedtime rituals; making sure the bedroom is comfortable, quiet and dark; and avoiding too much bright light, TV or computer use for at least an hour before bed.

7. Stay Socially Connected

Staying connected with friends and family can help prevent depression, loneliness and stress, and can also keep you cheerful and vital. However, social contact can be more of a challenge as we age. Events as diverse as retirement, career changes, death and moves out of the area can diminish our access to people we care about. Make sure you reach out to social contacts and family members, keeping those bonds active. You might even want to meet new people through volunteering or other activities you enjoy.

8. Get the Right Vitamins and Nutrients

To promote bone, joint and muscle health, and thereby retain strength, energy and flexibility, the Mayo Clinic urges seniors to get the right amount of calcium and vitamin D. Getting plenty of protein and other key nutrients such as vitamin A, B, C, E, niacin and folate is also important in avoiding deficiencies that can lead to fatigue and chronic illness.

9. Be Mentally Active

Keeping the mind sharp with mentally stimulating activities can help ward off memory loss and mild cognitive impairment – and boost creativity and mental energy, which can be just as important as physical energy. Whether it’s games, puzzles, or learning something new like a language or a musical instrument, maintaining the brain is both healthy and rewarding.

10. Nourish Your Spirit with Meaningful Activities

After retirement, we might find ourselves with extra time on our hands: the perfect opportunity to find new adventures as well as enjoy existing hobbies and interests. “A key ingredient in the recipe for healthy aging over 50 is the continuing ability to find meaning and joy in life,” says HelpGuide.org. Activities like pursuing hobbies, taking classes, volunteering or traveling can do a lot to energize and motivate us, no matter what age we are.

Eight Tips for Staying Safe in the Summer Heat

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Summer means gardening, cookouts, and just enjoying the great outdoors, but a heat wave can pose a major threat, especially for seniors. “Seniors won’t have as great an ability to sweat as younger people, and sweat is how you cool yourself, explained William B. Greenough III, MD, a geriatrician and professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore. Dehydration may increase the risk of a serious cardiovascular event like a heart attack, stroke, or kidney failure. An Australian study found that during a record-breaking heat wave, there was a significant increase in trips to the emergency room for heat-related illness and dehydration, particularly in those age 75 and older for whom the heat triggered a 13 percent increase in deaths. “It’s very important to stay well hydrated, increasing fluids and salts to accommodate for the salt losses,” Dr. Greenough said. Try these tips to keep your cool during sizzling summer days.
Drink up – Dehydration is a major concern for seniors in the summertime heat, but don’t wait until you feel thirsty to reach for a beverage. “Drink plenty and a variety of liquids,” advised Heidi White, MD, associate professor of medicine in geriatrics at Duke University in Durham, N.C. “Too much water can lead to electrolyte imbalance. Concentrated urine is a bladder irritant and actually increases trips to the restroom.” Instead, keep plenty of sweat replacement drinks, such as Gatorade, on hand and drink them when you’re sweating more than usual.

Cut out caffeine – Skip your usual iced tea or coffee in the summer to help avoid hydration in a summertime heat wave. All that caffeine “works on our kidneys as a diuretic, depleting our bodies of needed liquid,” said Dr. White. “It is also a bladder irritant and increases trips to the restroom. Why spend your summer searching for a restroom?” Opt for water or sweat replacement drinks instead.

Layer your clothing – If you’re going back and forth all day between scorching summer heat and frigid air conditioning, dress in layers so that you can adjust all day long, suggested White. Dressing in layers “ensures comfort with indoor air conditioning and outdoor heat,” she said. Also, wear lightweight clothing in breathable, natural fabrics like cotton that allow your skin to breathe, said Greenough.

Skip the sun exposure – When the sun is blazing hot, it’s best to avoid being outdoors to prevent overheating, dehydration, and sunburn. Stay inside where it’s cool. When you do spend time in the sun, make sure you wear sunscreen to prevent a sunburn, and put on a hat with a wide brim and sunglasses to protect your eyes, said White.

Cool off your kitchen – Who wants to cook — or eat — a hot meal in the blazing heat of summertime? Turning up the stove will only heat up your kitchen and your home, and that may not sound too appetizing. Switch to tasty cold dishes instead, suggested Greenough. Enjoy cold fresh salads loaded with vegetables and fruit, sandwiches, fruit smoothies, and hard-boiled eggs. You’ll feel nourished and keep your home cooler, too, without having to run the air conditioning overtime.

Wash off the heat – Taking a cool shower or bath can help bring down your body temperature when your skin is sizzling from the summertime heat. “Evaporation gets rid of heat from the body,” explained Greenough. You can also soak a small towel or cloth in cool water and drape it around your neck or on top of your head to help cool down when you need it, especially if you’re outdoors and can’t get back inside into the air conditioning.

Temper the air conditioning – When it’s really hot, do turn on the air conditioning, especially when you sleep, to help you stay comfortable and get a good night’s rest. “Our body temperature naturally drops a small amount at night to promote sleep. Being too hot at night will make it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep,” said White. If you don’t feel it’s quite hot enough to run your air conditioner, Greenough suggested turning on fans and opening up the windows in your home to allow cool air to circulate and help you cool down with a breeze from the outdoors.

Step on the scale – Protect yourself by looking for early warning signs of dehydration, such as urine that’s very dark in color, and taking quick action by increasing fluids. Greenough also suggests stepping on the scale and weighing yourself regularly. Know your normal body weight, and look for any deviation. “If you’ve lost 2 to 3 pounds, you need to drink it back up to your normal body weight,” he added.
Here at Southgate at Shrewsbury, we know the importance of summertime safety for seniors. We want you to enjoy the season, but also to stay safe and healthy. We offer a myriad of indoor activities you can participate in to stay active while keeping cool. If you would like to know more about some of the fabulous amenities to take advantage of this summer at Southgate, please click here.