Category: News

Arts and crafts aren’t just for kids anymore. National Craft Month encourages everyone to focus on their creative side and make something purely for enjoyment. People of all ages, especially older adults, can physically and mentally benefit from participating in craft-related activities. In fact, many retirement communities provide a vibrant activities calendar with plenty of creative outlets that are not only fun but offer some surprising health benefits.

Drawing, sewing, and model building are all crafty activities that improve hand-eye coordination and strengthen fine motor movements like dexterity. Research shows that crafting and making art stimulates the production of dopamine, the neurotransmitter that creates feelings of pleasure and enjoyment and can lessen pain levels. Creating art has also been clinically shown to reduce stress-related hormones in the body, prompting a physical response like muscle relaxation and lower blood pressure.

The biggest boost to seniors’ health from arts and crafts is mental. Regardless of the medium, painting with watercolors or designing a homemade birthday card, research shows arts and crafts improve mood and increase self-confidence. Artmaking may boost older adults’ self-esteem and overall well-being by challenging them to learn new skills, create something unique, and take pride in a finished project. Crafting is also beneficial for those living with depression or insomnia and can help improve mental acuity, thereby reducing the risk of developing dementia.

Residents of Arbor View Senior Living really enjoy our “Art Galore” classes. These weekly sessions allow residents to work with new and interesting mediums like clay, paper mâché, or collage and participate in community bonding activities like making decorations for an upcoming event or holiday celebration.

Providing the materials, opportunity, and inviting space for residents to gather for creative endeavors is one of the many benefits of living in a 55+ retirement community like Arbor View. Our full-time Life Enrichment Director loves coming up with new art-related programs and creative outlets that foster socialization and camaraderie and encourage our senior residents to explore their creativity and let their imaginations flow.  Plus, the maintenance-free lifestyle affords them more time to indulge in new hobbies and interests and boost their overall health.

Ready to start “crafting” your perfect retirement? Call 303-268-4747 and schedule your personal tour today. We’re always looking for more makers and DIY enthusiasts to join our independent and assisted living community.

A healthy, collaborative conversation between aging parents and adult children about senior living options begins with everyone sitting down at the table, talking about quality of life issues, learning about different types of senior communities, exploring the lifestyles offered by each — and doing it together.

A good senior living community provides care when needed, a vibrant social calendar, a sense of encouraging both independence and peace of mind, ample opportunity to socialize with peers, more time spent enjoying life, and less time on home maintenance.

If you are considering a conversation about a move, these steps will help you start the conversation off on the right foot.

Evaluate the Situation

Changes in an older adult’s health needs, mobility or cognition can impact their personal safety and their ability to handle household responsibilities. If this is the case, a move to senior living could be a good solution for everyone.

Prepare for the Conversation

During your conversation, have as much relevant information on hand as you can, like which communities have apartments available, whether all-inclusive pricing options exist, and which communities can fulfill certain care needs.

Involve Everyone

Always follow the parents’ lead in the conversation! While adult children may recognize signs it’s time for a move, it’s essential that everyone be on board as much as possible. Ideally, both adult children and their parents can have a say in the final decision, which will ultimately make everyone feel more secure.

Offer Help to Decide

Adult children and their parents should work together to make a pros and cons list for moving versus staying at home; this may help put things in perspective financially, practically, and emotionally. Together, you can discuss priorities and explore a range of communities while identifying options and benefits. Visit Communities Together:

Visiting a senior living community together is a key part of the decision process. Explore different options in person and get a feel for what life is like. If the older adult has a friend in senior living, try setting up a visit with them, or contact a community to book a personal tour.

When having this conversation, be sure to gather all the necessary facts and information about communities of interest and think of the additional points you want to know more about. And most of all, be sure to visit a variety of senior living communities in person!

To experience our community up close, visit arborviewsl.com or call our team at 303-268-4747 and schedule your personal tour today.

Arbor View Senior Living residents Bob and Flossie Rowley will celebrate their 73^rd wedding anniversary in August. The couple quickly fell in love after their first date and following a whirlwind courtship, embarked on their life together. Along the way, they faced challenges but always stayed connected by holding on to their faith in each other and God.

Flossie’s brother introduced her to Bob at a Youth for Christ event in Denver. They were very active in their respective churches and after encountering each other a few more times at faith-based events, Bob asked Flossie out on a date.

“We went rolling skating, something very popular then, and had a very good time. I was definitely interested in a second date,” said Flossie. As luck would have it, Bob was too and two months later, he proposed!

The couple opted for a simple ceremony wearing matching navy blue suits instead of traditional wedding attire. They soon started a family and Bob was offered a job in Kansas, so they packed up their belongings and headed east. The position didn’t work out and the couple soon found themselves back in Denver where Flossie gave birth to the first of their six children.

In 1957 Bob, who had served in the National Guard, volunteered for the draft and was stationed in Chicago so the family left Colorado again. After Bob was discharged, they returned to Denver and became members of Youth for Christ again and the whole family was very active in their church.

When most of the children were grown, Bob and Flossie, who had always enjoyed camping, purchased a KOA campground in Strasburg, Colorado, and started a new life there. Disappointed when their business venture did not work out as they hoped, the couple left it behind and started new careers back in Denver until they decided it was time to retire and made their way to Arbor View drawn by the beautiful views all around and the many services and amenities it offered.

Bob and Flossie’s marriage remains strong thanks to their devotion to each other and their faith in God.

“Bob still tells me he loves me often and we have always tried to put God first in all things. By trusting in the Lord we are able to keep going strong,” said Flossie.

Bob and Flossie’s love story is inspiring and we will continue supporting them with everything they need to enjoy their lives here. Our community is ideal for singles and couples with modern studio and one-bedroom apartments and services and amenities that can be customized to meet residents’ individual needs. Our community calendar offers a variety of activities and events for couples to socialize with other couples but also pursue their individual hobbies and interests.

If you and your spouse/partner are looking for the ideal place to retire, come see everything our community has to offer in services, amenities, and lifestyle. Call 303-268-4747 or visit our website to schedule a personalized tour.

For caregivers of older adults, taking a break from time to time is critical to avoid becoming overly exhausted and stressed, which can affect your personal health and ability to provide your loved one with the best possible care.

Research has found that personal timeouts or breaks, when taken regularly, can contribute to a caregiver’s overall effectiveness. Respite from daily caregiving helps to prevent burnout by allowing you to attend to your life outside of caregiving, including your career, home, family, and personal needs. Afterward, you can return to caregiving feeling refreshed and rested, physically, mentally, emotionally, and perhaps with an entirely new perspective on care.

To serve this need for respite, many senior living communities provide short, or longer-term respite stays or temporary housing and care specifically for seniors. This allows their caregiver to take a vacation or a break from their daily responsibilities. Short-term stays at a comfortable and welcoming community can also serve as a great resource for seniors recovering from an injury or a hospital stay, or for those interested in a trial stay before making a final decision about moving into the community as a resident.

Along with assisted living and specialized care services delivered by the on-site care team at most senior living communities, a respite care stay provides your loved one with the freedom to enjoy many services and amenities. At Arbor View Senior Living, the list is long and includes a furnished apartment, nutritious meals served daily, access to a full continuum of care and outside services like home health, hospice, physical therapy, housekeeping and laundry services, a beauty salon, wellness center, scheduled transportation, activities and events.

In addition to quality respite care, Arbor View has precautionary measures in place to help ensure that our residents, including short-term guests for respite stays, remain safe and healthy while staying with us. With a respite stay at Arbor View, you’ll know your loved one is well cared for, enabling you to take time for self-care, whether that means going on vacation, engaging in your favorite hobby, or meeting up with old friends.

If you’re interested in arranging a respite stay for your loved one in one of Arbor View’s assisted living apartments, give us a call today at 303-268-4747 or schedule a tour online.

Studies show that spirituality can benefit older adults in a number of ways, including enhanced health and well-being, greater capacity to cope, increased social support, and a deeper sense of community and belonging. The leadership team at Arbor View Senior Living recognized these positive outcomes and created a spiritual group that was inclusive of all its senior residents.

To complement its existing men’s group, The God Squad, team members reached out to Laura Heagle, who is very active in her local church, for a recommendation of a pastor who could lead the new group. When they were unable to find a pastor who could commit to regular group meetings, Laura offered up her services.

Laura was familiar with Arbor View long before she became a resident and called it home. Through her church, she had visited the retirement community several times and was impressed by the warm and welcoming atmosphere and liked how team members encouraged residents’ interests and hobbies. She eagerly jumped into creating a bible study group with the support of Arbor View’s team.

“There are a lot of unchurched people here but most of them have a church and bible study background and want to reconnect with it,” Laura says.

After researching a name that, if not as flashy as “The God Squad” still had a nice ring to it, the group became Bible Buddies. Laura, who has been studying the bible her entire life, chooses a devotional to read every week and then encourages members of the group to discuss what it means to them or how it relates to their lives.

Bible Buddies is open to everyone at Arbor View and residents can attend weekly or drop in whenever. Laura hopes the group will continue to grow and that they will find a pastor who can occasionally attend meetings, too.

Residents are encouraged to participate in all aspects of community life and the Arbor View team strives to support their interests and hobbies. That includes scheduling a regular time and place for groups like Bible Buddies to meet but encouraging the residents to take the lead in decision-making and run the groups themselves.

In addition to reading and studying the bible throughout her life, Laura was a teacher, and leading the Bible Buddies group came naturally. After retiring from teaching and losing her husband, Laura felt uncertain about what was next. But after moving to Arbor View, she reconnected with an important part of her past and feels rejuvenated.

“I’m never lonely because I can just go down the hall and visit someone. Now I am back to teaching, and gardening and the Arbor View team is beyond fabulous. I feel very supported here,” Laura says.

In addition to the spiritual opportunities at Arbor View, Laura is thrilled with the exercise classes and attends as many as possible. Initially, she went to help with some mobility issues but never expected them to change her life so much. She has a newfound energy and is so committed, that team members have asked her to lead some classes using her teaching skills and newfound enthusiasm for fitness.

When she’s not teaching bible study or leading a fitness class, Laura loves working in Arbor View’s gardens and is an active member of the gardening club.

“I love gardening and am having a wonderful time out in the fresh air, weeding and tending the plants,” Laura says.

Arbor View is committed to meeting the spiritual and physical needs of its residents by offering activities, clubs, and events that cater to their diverse hobbies and interests. These opportunities encourage residents to discover new passions – another reason Arbor View is a great place to retire.

At Arbor View Senior Living, we welcome residents and team members of all religious traditions and spiritual backgrounds. Call 303-268-4747 or visit arborviewsl.com to learn more about our independent and assisted living apartments and schedule a personalized tour.

Arbor View Senior Living is fortunate to have several retired veterans and their spouses living in our retirement community. As Veterans Day approaches, we want to thank those who have served in the armed forces for their commitment and sacrifice, plus share stories of two of our veteran residents, Bob Rowley and Tim Snyder.

Bob Rowley

Bob is a Colorado native who was born in Denver. He joined the Army National Guard as a young man and served for 11 ½ years after completing his basic training at Fort Carson. He chose to go active in the Army and was stationed in Chicago where he worked in records for three years. After he was discharged from active duty, he and his wife, Flossie, and their six children moved to Thornton. They also ran a campground in Strasburg and lived in Aurora until retiring to Arbor View.

Bob and Flossie chose Arbor View for the comfortable, affordable apartments, the many services offered, and the great views. Bob has always been very active and according to his wife, “never sits still for long.” At 93 years young, he is still going strong!

Tim Snyder

Tim Snyder was very close to his uncle, a Marine Corps veteran, who was like a father to him because his own father was in ill health for most of his childhood. Tim’s mother instilled in him a sense of responsibility while caring for him and his siblings mostly on her own. That desire to be responsible for more than himself and feeling a duty to serve inspired him to join the U. S. Marine Corps.

After basic training in San Diego and infantry training at Camp LeJeune in South Carolina, Tim was sent to Vietnam. It was near the end of the war, and he struggled to understand the reasons for it as a young man and dealt with survivor’s guilt when he returned home after losing friends in combat.

“I didn’t join the Marine Corps to be at war but to help make peace. I’m happy I served and even if I knew then what I know now, I would still probably choose to do so,” Tim says.

Tim moved to Westminster 10 years ago to help his older sister who was having hip replacement surgery. He ended up staying and chose Arbor View for retirement.

“I liked it so much once I got here! Right now, it is so beautiful with the fall colors,” Tim says.

One way our Arbor View team supports residents with military backgrounds is by actively encouraging them to apply for the Veterans Administration’s Aid and Attendance Benefits*, which can significantly offset the cost of monthly rent for our assisted living residences. We also strive to maintain ties with local veterans’ organizations, so residents have a chance to give back to veterans in the community.

This Veterans Day, Arbor View will host a special lunch honoring our retired veterans and team members will present them with special certificates that include their names and military service. It’s important for us to find special ways to recognize and honor veterans for their time in service. We also strive to show our veteran residents how much we appreciate their service on Veterans Day and every day.

Are you or someone you know a veteran or surviving spouse in search of a senior living community? Call 303-268-4747 or visit arborviewsl.com to schedule a personalized tour and learn more about what Arbor View’s veteran-proud community offers.

*Please note that Arbor View cannot determine eligibility for Veterans’ Benefits; only the Veterans Administration can determine an applicant’s eligibility.

Cooper The Therapy Dog and his owner, Howard Morton, began visiting Arbor View Senior Living in late March 2020. It was the start of the pandemic and team members hoped a friendly face would help residents adjust to the ever-changing uncertainties in the retirement community.

Howard and Cooper, who reside in the quiet neighborhood where Arbor View is located, began strolling through campus waving at folks through their windows. Later on, when it was deemed safe, many residents began coming outside on their patios to pet Cooper and chat with Howard about his canine companion.

“I saw a need for Cooper’s service in a population with the tightest restrictions and wanted to give back to people who have given so much to society already,” Howard said.

Cooper is a seven-year-old English Cream Golden Retriever and certified therapy dog with his own Facebook page. After passing a series of tests, he was certified by the Alliance of Therapy Dogs, a non-profit whose mission is to “share smiles and joy through a network of caring individuals and their special dogs.”

“I see our visits to Arbor View as a win-win,” said Howard. “We make residents smile and they make us happy, too, which fills our hearts. Some residents have told me they look forward to Cooper’s visits all week.”

A handful of residents at Arbor View have pets, and in addition to brightening up the community with their personalities, we know there are physical, social, and mental benefits to having pets. In fact, studies indicate older adults with animal companionship tend to be more active, more social, and have a lower risk of depression. These same studies have found great health benefits too, like lower blood pressure, less anxiety, and chemical body changes that lead to increased happiness!

Even non-pet owners benefit from living in a pet-friendly community like ours. While a pet may not be part of everyone’s lifestyle, being around them occasionally can boost one’s mood and encourage socialization.

Since pets naturally attract people, they often serve as a social bridge between their owners and others in the community where they live. Cooper is often a magnet for affection and social engagement between residents and neighbors as well as team members.

Pet owners living at Arbor View will find well-maintained walkways and ground-level apartments with private patios that make it easy for them to get outdoors and exercise. Arvada has plenty of veterinarian services and pet groomers, and locally owned Paws ‘n’ Play has a huge selection of food, toys, accessories, and more.

Inviting Cooper into the community during a challenging time and continuing to welcome him as a regular guest is one of the many pawsitive ways Arbor View supports the health and happiness of its residents and their four-legged friends.

If you’re considering a move to 55+ living, give us a call at 303-268-4747 or schedule an in-person tour to learn how you can make our pet-friendly community your next home.

Loving Memory
We are saddened to report that shortly after publishing this story, Cooper The Therapy Dog passed away. He will be missed greatly and our thoughts and prayers are with his owner, Howard Morton, and his puppy brother, Prince.

Demand for online shopping and door-to-door delivery services increased during the pandemic. This transformation in the way many older adults shop prompted Arbor View Senior Living to expand the line of products offered on its Country Store cart. The ability to shop onsite with a mobile store that comes to them with everyday essential items greatly benefits the retirement community’s residents. It has also created opportunities for residents to get involved at the community level and fill an important role.

Arbor View’s Country Store offers residents quick and convenient access to snacks and sundries and saves them time making a trip to the store or waiting for a delivery. Residents serve as “hosts” making sure the cart’s shelves are stocked and bringing the store direct to customers to ring up purchases. The volunteer position lets residents get to know their neighbors while providing an essential service.

Resident Jerry D. learned about the Country Store from Jay, who was one of the first new friends he made after moving to Arbor View. Jay was a host and Jerry was looking for ways to get involved in community activities. He has a lot of retail experience to offer and thought it would be fun to run the store part-time.

“I like to stay busy,” Jerry says. “I don’t like just sitting around and I really enjoy doing it.”

The Country Store started out small with just a few snack items but has expanded its offerings to include toilet paper, hearing aid batteries, toothpaste, laundry soap pods, and many more food and beverage products. The most popular items residents have requested are stocked on the cart and their feedback guides the community in deciding what to offer in the future. If a resident asks for something the store doesn’t have, Jerry lets Arbor View’s team members know about the requested item and they do their best to get it in stock.

Jerry moved to Arbor View because of the great location and for more opportunities to spend time with his peers and people who share his interests. Now he is a regular for bingo and Yahtzee and has a couple of good friends he plays cribbage with when he is not hosting the Country Store.

At Arbor View, residents are encouraged to participate in every aspect of daily life. Providing support for resident-run clubs and organizations encourages community engagement and residents become more than neighbors and form new friendships through common interests. Listening to what the residents want, like the modern-day convenience of the Country Store, and collaborating with them to provide it, is one of the many reasons Arbor View is a wonderful place to retire.

Ready to start shopping for your dream retirement? Call Arbor View Senior Living at 303-268-4747 or schedule a tour online. You can also keep up to date on any special promotions and events by signing up for our monthly newsletter and following us on Facebook.

One of the best ways for older adults to improve their physical health, mental well-being and overall happiness is by socializing and making new friends. Studies show friendships and socialization benefit older adults’ health in a variety of ways, including:

A longer lifespan

Friendships can play an important role in helping seniors live longer. Having close social ties can strengthen the immune system, lower blood pressure, and reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes and stroke.

Motivating healthy habits

A good friend can also be a good influence! Friends can help encourage one another to stick to healthy habits, maintain an active lifestyle and keep an eye on each other’s mental and physical well-being.

Fighting loneliness and depression

Studies show that loneliness is a leading cause of depression in older adults. Avoiding isolation, getting involved in social activities and pursuing friendships can play a positive role in helping seniors maintain the connections necessary for good mental health.

Protecting cognitive health

Neuroplasticity means that, throughout a lifetime, the brain can continue changing, reorganizing and creating new neural pathways. The social interaction associated with new friendships helps to change the brain, strengthen memory and improve cognition.

When it comes to building a social circle, life in a senior living community improves the chance of making friends and meeting new people. Residents need only walk outside their apartment door to feel like part of a close-knit community — and to encounter opportunities to meet people. In this way, senior living communities offer so much more than just a place to live and find help when and if it’s needed — they’re places where residents can make connections, explore activities, and share experiences.

At Arbor View Senior Living, not only do residents have a healthy community of peers to connect with — they also have a wealth of resources at their fingertips: the tenured team members support their health and fitness goals, the life enrichment director organizes engaging social, cultural and educational activities, and the wellness director oversees their personal wellness plan. Residents also have access to a range of quality amenities and services, including an exercise space and wellness center, an on-site chef to prepare healthy meals, a beauty salon and a library. With spacious and comfortable indoor spaces to gather, walk-out patios and outdoor seating with views atop Hackberry Hill, residents have many opportunities to socialize with their friends and neighbors.

Considering a move to senior living for yourself or a loved one? Call 303-268-4747 or contact us online to learn more about our studio and one-bedroom apartments and how moving to Arbor View offers seniors access to a built-in community of friends.