Ask St. Ann’s – How to plan for the future when choosing a retirement community.

Our lives are filled with big decisions. For seniors, there’s one decision that’s nearly universal: should I consider moving to a senior living community? Everyone approaches this decision differently – some rely on discussions with family and friends, while others prefer quiet reflection. No matter how you go about it, though, it can be overwhelming […]

Ask St. Ann’s – Facing Down Those Holiday Desserts

By Christine Shippers You’ve been eating right all year, making healthy choices and keeping the extra pounds at bay. Suddenly, everywhere you look there are cookies of every description, pies of all kinds, cakes of indescribable beauty. Welcome to the holiday season! It’s the time of year when desserts seem to have us surrounded. Well […]

Ask St. Ann’s – Simple Indoor Exercises Can Keep You Fit in Winter

By Cassie Curry The onset of colder weather means fewer opportunities for outdoor activity—especially for older adults. But just because the snow flies and temperatures drop doesn’t mean your physical fitness has to go into hibernation. There are plenty of simple exercises you can do in the warmth and safety of “the great indoors” to […]

Ask St. Ann’s – The Ups and Downs Of Being A Family Caregiver

By Kristie Pfaff Comedian Milton Berle said, “You know you’re getting older when it takes more time to recover than it did to tire out.” He was joking of course, but he was also onto something. As we get older, there comes a point when we realize we need more help than we used to. […]

Ask St. Ann’s – How To Reduce The Risk Of Falling

Falls are preventable and don’t need to be an inevitable part of aging By Priscilla Salgado and Shaneeya Cooper Taking a fall is never enjoyable. But if you’re an older adult, it can cause serious health issues and even take years off your life. According to the Centers for Disease Control, falls are the leading […]

Ask St. Ann’s – Transitional Care Is The Best Place To Heal

By Veena Madiraju For some of us, a hospital stay is no big deal. We go in, we get treated, we go home. As we age, however, the process may not be that simple. Our bodies don’t recover as quickly, we need more help getting back to normal, and we’re at greater risk of something […]

Ask St. Ann’s – Wellness Is More Than Just Physical Health

By Mindy Sawnor When we talk about “health,” we’re most often talking about physical health: how our bodies are doing in terms of things like blood pressure, fitness, diet, sleep, etc. In general, we equate health with the absence of illness or injury. But physical health is just one component of our overall wellness. As […]

Ask St. Ann’s – Social Workers Make A New Environment Feel Like Home

By Danielle Guillemette Think of the last time you visited someplace you’d never been before. You don’t know the lay of the land, you haven’t met the locals, you don’t know the customs. It can be intimidating-unless you’ve got a reliable guide to show you the way. That’s similar to the role a social worker […]

Ask St. Ann’s – Choose Nutrient-rich Foods for Greater Immunity

By Amy O’Reilly Eating nourishing foods not only brings enjoyment and spice to life, but it’s also how your body gets vitamins. Making good choices will boost your immunity and support your overall health and well-being, especially as you age. During National Nutrition Month in March, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends that you […]