Blog Posts

Generational Joy: Mother's Day Delights for Seniors and Loved Ones

Mother’s Day. Holiday of homemade cards and macaroni jewelry. How you looked forward to the triumphant look on those little faces when they surprised you with their handiwork. As hard as it is to believe, your not-so-little-ones are now mothers themselves. Now it is their little ones showering your daughters - and you - with those precious and priceless Mother’s Day treasures. Funny how that happens. Your Mother’s Day has evolved, attaining multigenerational status. It’s a time to acknowledge and honor all the women in the family. Here are a few Mother’s Day ideas to inspire an experience that is both meaningful and memorable. If you live near your kids or will be visiting them on Mother’s Day: Get Tickets Mother’s Day is the perfect opportunity to organize a family outing that will appeal to both the young and young at heart. Take a family survey to decide whether you will spend the afternoon at a ballpark, museum, or an age-appropriate theater event. Maybe you will all head for the zoo. What matters most is an activity that results in quality time together. Take a Class Whether it’s crafts or cooking, taking a class with the family can be fun for everybody. If the kids are really little you sign up for an art class and collaborate on a fun project. If they are a little older, you can learn a new recipe together. Whether you come away with a glitter covered dinosaur or a delicious batch of cookies, the fun will be in the creating. Plan a Picnic If the weather cooperates, plan a picnic in the park. Relax and enjoy watching the kids run around and tire themselves out. Once they come back home for their nap, the grown-ups can have some quality time together. If there is no longer napping involved, settle in for family movie time. Let the kids pick their favorite. Share Photos Why not take a Mother’s Day stroll down memory lane? Dust off the photo albums and introduce the grandkids to your former self. A Spa Day Mother’s Day is tailor made for some self-care and pampering. Leave the men and kids at home and book a special spa treatment for the women of the family. Ahhhhh. Lunch and a Walk Choose a neighborhood restaurant or pitch in for a potluck lunch for everybody at home. Then gather the crew for a walk. A Mother’s Day walk with your kids and the little ones will be entertaining and provide some exercise after that great lunch. An Overture Day Once you have taken the leap and right-sized into an Overture premier senior apartment community, you’ll have a resort class facility in which to entertain the family. Invite the kids to hang at the pool, and relax on the pristinely manicured grounds. They will love mixing and mingling with your Overture gang and their families. If your kids live out of town: One of the best benefits of living in an Overture senior apartment community is, well…the community. When you’re surrounded by peers who share your circumstances, Mother’s Day can be transformed into a joyous occasion – even without the kids. Get in the Game Gather a group of friends together and book one of Overture’s dedicated activity spaces for an afternoon of fun and games. Whether you play cards, work on a huge jigsaw puzzle, or spend the time playing your favorite board game, you’ll spend the day in the warm glow of comradery. Pick a Movie Head to Overture’s theater and watch a movie with friends. Take a Walk Lace up your sneakers and get a group to join in a Mother’s Day walk. It’s a Party Invite a few friends over to your Overture apartment for an intimate lunch or dinner to celebrate motherhood - and grandmotherhood. Create a main dish in your state-of-the-art kitchen and ask your friends to provide the sides. If you have a larger bash in mind, book an activity room and spread the word. Guests can bring apps, desserts and wine. Voila! A Mother’s Day party - with or without - kids! Booking a tour at the Overture premiere senior apartment complex of your choice today. It will be the Mother’s Day gift that keeps on giving.

Estate Planning: Essential Steps for Seniors and Their Families

Get a root canal? Or spend the afternoon estate planning? Pretty sure most of us would choose the former. There may be nothing less appealing than preparing for your own demise. But, think of it as one moment of sacrifice to create a better future for your loved ones. In short, consider time spent discussing your legacy as taking one for the team. Carefully organizing all of your important documents and financial information will yield a double bonus. First, you will ensure that your wishes and goals are clear and easy to execute. Second, you will save your heirs from the stress of having to wade through an unmanageable mess. Your loved ones will be free to move on with their lives instead of trying to untangle yours. There will be no arguing, no confusion and no doubt as to your intentions. They will appreciate the gift. Though we all know how important it is to plan for the future, too many adults over 55 do not have a will. Nor do they realize that a will is only part of the estate story. As you begin to collect documents pertaining to your possessions, vehicle, bank accounts, life insurance, or any outstanding debts, you’ll see the importance of appointing a designated power of attorney, creating a living will and establishing beneficiaries. Here are a few basic estate planning tips to help you get started. The Four Essentials of Estate Planning Wills Your will is a pretty straightforward document that includes: A list of beneficiaries A list of significant assets to leave your heirs A list of your debts, including mortgages, car loans, credit cards, etc. A named executor to see that your wishes are carried out Trusts A trust is a provision that allows you to put your property into the hands of a designated person, a trustee, until your beneficiaries can claim it. Trusts can yield tax breaks, put restrictions on the distribution of assets and bypass the probate process. There are several kinds of trusts: Revocable Living Trust In a revocable living trust, you are the trustee and can appoint a successor trustee to take over when the time comes. As the trustee you have the power and flexibility to move assets around and make changes regarding distribution. Irrevocable Living Trus An irrevocable living trust allows your heirs to access their inheritance before you are gone. You cannot be the designated trustee. Irrevocable trusts have tax benefits as you reduce the value of your estate in your lifetime. If you choose this option, remember it cannot be undone. Irrevocable means, well…irrevocable. Special Needs Trust In the event you have an heir with disabilities, a special needs trust is essential. It will allow them to access their inheritance while still claiming their government benefits. Spendthrift Trust This type of trust helps support family members who may be tempted to misuse their inheritance. These trusts are irrevocable and can be set up in a variety of different ways. For example, inheritance due to a family member struggling with addiction may be conditional on the completion of a treatment program. Or, you may stipulate that they may receive an allotment every few years until a certain age. It’s up to you. Healthcare Power of Attorney A healthcare power of attorney is both a document and a responsibility. The document stipulates who should make your healthcare decisions if you become unable to communicate those decisions yourself. The person whose name is on that document is your health care proxy and responsible for making critical life and death decisions for you. Living Will A living will is a document that clearly outlines your end of life wishes. It will only come into play if you are unable to speak for yourself. A living will supersedes the power of your health care proxy. Estate planning can be overwhelming. If you need help finding a skilled professional to assist you, try the National Association of Estate Planners and Councils’ website. Once you’ve created a solid plan, it’s a good idea to revisit it every so often to make modifications as your circumstances change. For example, maybe you will soon be selling your home and embarking upon a new retirement adventure at one of Overture’s premier senior apartment communities.A small change on paper - but a major change for the better in your life. Book a tour today. You can’t take it with you, but you can sure have a lot of fun with it enjoying the ultimate retirement experience.

Activities to Welcome Grandchildren to your Senior Community

There is something really magical about spending quality time with the special little people in your life. And what’s more, this time around you don’t have to worry about whether they’ve done their homework, brutalized their sister, or tracked mud all over the white carpet. Let their parents be aggravated and dole out the punishment. All you have to do is have fun and give out the chocolate. If the kids are running around in circles like lunatics on a sugar high when they get home? Not your problem. Yep. Being a grandparent is pretty great. Think of it as payment due from your kids. Your mission when the grandkids visit is to enjoy every precious moment. Here are a few things to do with grandkids to get the ball rolling – even if you’re not actually up for playing ball. Take a Walk Lace up your sneakers and start walking. Whether you’re dealing with a toddler or a teenager, getting them outside on a beautiful day is the perfect setting for conversation and connection. The little ones will be excited by everything they see. For the bigger kids, a walk with grandma or grandpa is an opportunity to disconnect from their phones and their stressful lives. You’ll be amazed what you can learn from and about them. Pick a Project Take a five-year-old, a piece of poster board, glitter glue, and sea shells or macaroni, and voila! You have a craft project extraordinaire. Set it up in the kitchen or outdoors if possible and watch the magic happen. You will be the assistant, of course, as your grandkid creates a masterpiece to be proud of. As you are chatting and laughing and making crucial artistic decisions together, the time will fly by. Who doesn’t love a great coloring book? Get out the crayons,markers, watercolors, or colored pencils and bring your grandkids’ favorite characters to life. If you’re feeling really ambitious, find an app to transform personal photos into coloring pages. If you really want to score some points with the kids, show up with some water, cornstarch and food coloring (optional) and transform it into Ooblek. Your kids will love its slimy texture. And you will be amazed when the pre-schooler looks blithely at you and declares that Ooblek is a non-Newtonian fluid. Who knew? There are also tons of inexpensive craft kits for fun projects like unicorn gardens or rock painting. For a few bucks, you can keep your favorite kid anchored to a chair long enough to really make a memory. Puzzles Kids love puzzles. The best part is they come in all sizes and difficulty levels. Pick up a couple of age-appropriate puzzles and work on them as a team. The older the kids are, the more pieces that jigsaw puzzle will have, and the more satisfied you’ll be when you finish it together. Celebrate with ice cream afterwards! Read When the kids are ready to wind down later in the day, pick up their favorite book and read it to them, or with them. A learning experience for them. A great snuggle opportunity for you. Cook Your Favorite Recipe For grandkids of any age, a cooking session is a great way to share quality time and a little piece of your family history. Pick a favorite recipe and enjoy a delicious treat when it’s done. Kid’s Choice Pull up a chair in the playroom and let the kids take you on whatever journey they choose. Maybe they will dress up as their favorite Frozen princess or maybe they will bring out their doctor kit and give you a checkup. A make-believe tea party with plenty of cakes and you as the guest of honor would be awesome. Go where they lead and enjoy! Have an Adventure Once you rightsize into one of Overture’s conveniently located senior apartment communities , you will have access to everything your destination has to offer. From museums, theaters, and restaurants, to ballparks, miles of hiking trails or playgrounds, Overture locations are where the action is. Book a tour today. Your enthusiastic community of like minded peers can’t wait to meet you - and the grandkids!

Creating an Active and Pet-Friendly Living Space for Seniors

They love to cuddle. They are great exercise buddies. They are always excited to be with you and will happily go wherever you take them. But seriously, when it comes to the benefits of a four-legged companion, you might say that’s just the tip of the wagging tail. Interacting with furry friends can: Relieve stress Improve cognitive function Lower blood pressure Ease loneliness Motivate exercise Provide social opportunities Pets are like the icing on the retirement cupcake. We’re talking about a gift that truly keeps on giving – and asks only for love in return. The purrrfect partnership. Once you sign on the dotted line for a pet friendly apartment at one of Overture’s premier senior communities, rest assured your pet will feel as welcome as you do. In fact, all you have to do is attach the leash and step outside. Your dog will do the rest, making new friends and introducing you to their humans. As you prepare to rightsize into an apartment, it’s important to consider the needs of your pet. The goal is for you to share the space in a way that provides comfort and security for all parties. A Designated Space The first step is to create a designated area for your pet. This could be a corner of your living room, spare bedroom or even a closet. It doesn’t have to be a huge space as long as it is cozy and comfortable and provides easy access to your creature’s, well…creature comforts like food, water and toys. Pet Friendly Furniture As much as we love them, pets are not human. They don’t know they should avoid scratching, biting or generally destroying your fabrics and furnishings. It’s worth your while to invest in pet friendly furniture that is both durable and washable and will withstand the wear and tear your well-meaning pet inflicts on it. It’s also a good idea to avoid furniture with sharp edges and corners that could cause your pet harm. Think Vertically When floor space is limited, look up. You can install shelves, a tree for your cat, or even build a mounting wall. This will save space and provide a fun distraction for your little climber. Indoor Potty There are indoor pet pads that can come in handy if your pet requires frequent potty breaks. Create a spot in your bathroom or near an outside door. This won’t take the place of those all-important trips outside that help you accumulate your steps, but it will be convenient, especially if you live in a colder climate. Safety and Comfort First Safety, cleanliness and comfort will keep your pet healthy and happy. Make sure the apartment is just right - never too hot or too cold and never too dark. Keep all electric cords out of their reach and keep their area free of dirt and bacteria. The moment you unpack your boxes at the Overture pet friendly senior apartment complex of your choice, you – and your pet – will feel at home. Every trip outside will be a social adventure that may end at a “Yappy Hour,” where pets and their humans can raise a glass to the good life. Book a tour today. The ultimate retirement experience is waiting for you - and your pet.

Aging in Full Bloom: Nurturing Mind, Body, and Spirit

“You can’t help getting older. But you don’t have to get old.” So said the inimitable George Burns who lived to be 100 years young. Clearly, he knew from whence he spoke. The quest to age gracefully involves both inspiration and perspiration. It’s really a simple math equation: As the numbers go higher, the need to stimulate the mind, nourish the spirit and challenge the body multiplies exponentially. In other words, use it or lose it. Commit to a lifestyle that enhances your quality of retirement life, and you’ll be having too much fun to pay attention to the numbers. A small effort to keep all the proverbial wheels turning can reap huge rewards. Stay Social Isolation - and the loneliness that comes with it - can leave older adults feeling alienated and depressed. Cultivating social relationships and staying connected to loved ones is critical to mental and emotional health. Engaging with others also helps keep seniors physically active. Just meeting a loved one for coffee can change your outlook on the day. It’s with that in mind that active adult communities like Overture’s premier senior apartment complexes focus on providing unlimited social opportunities. There is no easier way to create and maintain new connections than participating in Overture’s wide variety of group activities, or just knocking on your neighbor’s door to say hello. Exercise Your Brain That muscle between your ears needs as much - if not more - exercise than the rest of the body. Your brain workout can include daily puzzle solving, taking a class to learn a new skill, joining a book club, embarking on a hobby you finally have time for, or reading with your loved ones. It doesn’t matter what you choose, as long as your mind is active. Lifelong learning is the gift that you give to yourself and those around you. It will not only boost your brain function, but it will keep you both interested and interesting! Staying mentally engaged means you are part of the conversation, not sitting on the sidelines. Exercise Your Body Here’s a newsflash: This is not your grandparent’s retirement. Forget about rocking on the porch. You may have a comfy favorite chair, but it will sit empty while you are up and out, actively maintaining your health and fitness. Whether you are swimming, biking, gardening, golfing, hiking, or practicing yoga or tai chi with a group of loved ones, physical activity at whatever your comfort level is the cornerstone of graceful aging. Once you rightsize into an Overture senior apartment complex, you’ll have a vast and varied list of classes and activities to choose from. And after you and your buddies in the walking group have achieved your daily goal, you can head to happy hour to celebrate your accomplishments. And then – maybe – you’ll finally have a minute or two to sit in your comfy chair. Less Junk Food. More Veggies. A healthy diet is important at any stage of life, but especially as we age. Treat yourself to whole foods, and dark fruits and vegetables like berries, legumes, nuts, seeds, and dark leafy greens like kale and spinach. Nobody wants to go through life without a cookie now and then, but when it comes to junk food, less is definitely more. Be Proactive About Medical Care Regular checkups can prolong, possibly even save, your life. Stay abreast of recommended vaccines and screenings and find a medical professional with whom you are comfortable communicating openly and honestly. The more information you can give your providers the better they can attend to your needs. Specifically designed to enhance your physical, mental, emotional and social wellbeing, Overture’s premier senior living apartment communities check all the boxes for the ultimate retirement experience. Book a tour today. Your soon to be loved ones are looking forward to aging gracefully with you.

Spring Activities Around Phoenix

Springtime in Phoenix is Mother Nature’s pièce de résistance. The sun is shining and the temperature is glorious – warm but not scorching. It’s like she purposely used her magical powers to ensure a yearly moment of perfection. This is not to say that winter is intolerable in Phoenix. Hardly. When it’s snowing and blowing up north, the city aptly nicknamed “Valley of the Sun” remains an alfresco paradise. But spring is a special gift that brings with it unlimited opportunities to celebrate the season outdoors, and here are some of our favorite different activities in Phoenix to do so! Desert Botanical Gardens Meander through the 140 acres of winding paths that showcase the world’s finest collection of desert plants. From huge saguaros to the most delicate of flowers, this garden features more than 50,000 arid plants. There are five themed trails that focus on issues like conservation, desert living, wildflowers and the people of the Sonoran Desert. Japanese Friendship Garden The Japanese Friendship Garden was designed as a sanctuary to promote tranquility and provide and escapes from the stress of everyday life. The unique landscaping, waterfalls, koi ponds and tea house focus on relaxation and rejuvenation of the mind, body, and spirit. Visitors may stroll at their leisure through the meditative 3.5-acre oasis. Named Ro Ho En – Japanese words for heron, Phoenix bird and garden – the garden is a joint project between the city of Phoenix and its sister city, Himeji, Japan. S'edav Va'aki Museum The S’edav Va’aki Musuem, formerly the Pueblo Grande Museum, is an archeological site once inhabited by the Hohokam people. As the gateway to Phoenix’s rich cultural history, the museum is focused on creating experiences that link past with present and promote understanding, appreciation and respect. Lowell Observatory From Phoenix, hop in the car and in a couple of hours you’ll be in Flagstaff, home of the 125-year-old Lowell Observatory. Known as the world’s first International Dark Sky City, Flagstaff has a star-studded sky that will delight and amaze. If you take one of the observatory’s guided tours on a clear night, you can gaze at the moon, planets, or deep sky objects through the giant Clark refractor, built in 1986. It’s an out of this world experience. Out of Africa Wildlife Park One of the many benefits of choosing an Overture senior apartment community in Phoenix is the long list of attractions for the grandkids. Set in the Verde Valley, with the Mingus Mountains as its backdrop, The Out of Africa Wildlife Park is a fan favorite they won’t want to miss. Designed to create a close encounter with the wild animal kingdom, this unique animal sanctuary offers shows like Tiger Splash and Predator Feed, as well as an immersive safari tour that will bring you and kids up close and personal with animals in the wild. It will knock your grandkids socks off – and guarantee they will be visiting you regularly. That’s what you call a grandparent win/win. Phoenix Zoo Of course, the little ones will also love the Phoenix Zoo, a popular area attraction since 1962. You’ll want to make a day of it, exploring over 3,000 animals including Bornean orangutans, Asian elephants, Sumatran tigers, Komodo dragons, and Masai giraffes. Restaurant Week With all that fresh air and sunshine, you're bound to work up an appetite. If you’re lucky, you’ll find yourself in Phoenix during restaurant week in May. Get ready to experience culinary talents that are out of this world for prices that are not. For 10 days – yes, they call it a week, but it’s really 10 days – you can enjoy specially crafted menus designed to showcase the work of chefs from five-star restaurants as well as fabulous hidden gems. A three-course menu will run anywhere from $33 to $55 per person. A delicious deal! Book a tour at an Overture senior apartment complex in Phoenix today. Your community is already having fun in the sun. The only thing missing is you. When it comes to Phoenix, Mother Nature sure knew what she was doing.