Blog

Rescue Pups

June 6th, 2016

Coco’s Heart Rescue brings their rescue pups in to Oak Park Senior Living twice a month for the residents to snuggle with.

Happy Memorial Day!

May 30th, 2016

Today, all of us here at Oak Park Senior Living would like to take the time to honor and remember the men and women who have served our country. We are forever grateful for your sacrifice!

Mother’s Day Fun

May 12th, 2016

For Mother’s Day at Oak Park Senior Living, we hosted a tea party and a breakfast bingo in our Community Room. Here is a photo of the beautiful decorations.

Happy Mother’s Day!

May 8th, 2016

Happy Mother’s Day from all of us at Oak Park Senior Living!

5 Common Senior Nutrition Myths

May 3rd, 2016

It is no secret that proper nutrition can decrease your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. While eating habits and dietary needs often change as you grow older, there are quite a few misconceptions surrounding senior nutrition. Here are five of the most common myths.

1. Seniors will stay healthy as long as they eat regularly.

Eating something is not always better than eating nothing. As seniors lose strength and mobility, cooking a meal can become difficult and time-consuming. Reaching for pre-packaged snacks and frozen dinners can be tempting, but these food options are usually high in sodium and fat and can lead to all sorts of health problems.

2. All seniors will inevitably lose their appetites.

A slowed-down metabolism and a need for fewer calories are normal signs of aging. But when seniors completely lose their appetite, it’s often a sign of a more serious issue.

3. Seniors at a healthy weight can eat whatever they want.

Some people seem to be able to eat anything without gaining a pound. However, maintaining a healthy weight doesn’t necessarily equal good health. High-sugar and high-fat diets can lead to diabetes and heart attacks.

4. Eating alone isn’t a problem for seniors.

Studies have shown that seniors eat better in the company of others. Often prone to depression and loneliness, seniors are less likely to cook a healthy meal just for themselves. One of the biggest benefits of senior living communities is the friendly, social environment. These communities offer residents healthy delicious meals in a welcoming, social setting.

5. General nutrition guidelines are the only thing seniors need to follow to stay healthy.

A healthy diet for a 30-year-old isn’t necessarily a good diet for a 75-year-old to follow. Seniors need extra calcium and vitamin D for strong bones, while antioxidants, vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids can improve cognitive function. Plus, a 30-year-old is much better equipped to handle high levels of sodium and fat.

Make sure to pay attention to the eating habits of your elderly loved ones. Regular, nutritious meals can help senior citizens stay happy and healthy as they grow older.

IMAX at the Minnesota Zoo

April 10th, 2016

Our residents at Oak Park Senior Living recently enjoyed an excursion to the Minnesota Zoo! Following breakfast, we took an early-morning bus trip down to Apple Valley. Once inside the zoo, we snacked on complimentary coffee and treats. It was Senior Day at the zoo, and the place was packed.

Some of us hit the gift shop–it wasn’t easy walking away from the adorable plush animals! After our coffee, we joined a huge crowd inside the IMAX theatre, where we watched “Wild Africa” in 3D. The 3D glasses were a riot! After many laughs and a wild movie adventure, we headed back home just in time for lunch.

April Fools’ Day

April 2nd, 2016

At Oak Park Senior Living, we celebrated April Fools’ Day the way the French did back in the 16^th century. People who were slow to get the news that the Julian calendar had switched to the Gregorian calendar became the butt of jokes.

The jokes included having paper fish stuck on their backs and being referred to as “poisson d’avril” (April fish), said to symbolize a young, easily caught fish and a gullible person. During happy hour, we had lots of fun sneaking up on people and taping paper fish to their backs!

Saint Patrick’s Day

March 18th, 2016

With toe-tapping live music, dancing and more, our tenants at Oak Park Senior Living had a blast during our Saint Patrick’s Day party!

Mad Hatter Tea Party

March 15th, 2016

Activities Assistant Gretchen N. Bucki, Activities Director Mary Alt and Jeremy Sieben, PTA with Interim Healthcare had a blast hosting a Mad Hatter Tea Party for the residents at Oak Park Senior Living. From Alice to the Queen of Hearts and the Mad Hatter, the Alice in Wonderland tea party was a huge success!

Think Spring Tea Party

February 15th, 2016

The weather may be frigid, but our thoughts are warm here at Oak Park Senior Living! We recently hosted a “Think Spring” tea party for our residents to help them think less about winter and more about the sunny days of spring ahead.