COVID-19 has brought changes to the entire world, and assisted living communities are no exception. The staff and residents of Collinwood and other assisted living communities across the country are taking part in changes that might seem inconvenient, annoying or even frightening. But even during this time, seniors can continue to live a vibrant lifestyle and find blessings and enjoyment through their days.Here's a look at some of the possible changes residents and their loved ones are seeing at...

Moving into an assisted living apartment gives you the best of both worlds — the chance to enjoy all the comforts of home without the hassle of doing maintenance and making costly repairs. Once you move in, it's a good idea to update the decor to match your personality and sense of style. Here are 10 ways to make your mark without making permanent changes.1.

Poison control is probably something you considered when small children were roaming your home for whatever reason. But did you know that seniors need to be aware of poisons too? Whether you reside at home or live in an assisted living community, here's what you should know about poison and what to do if you or someone else is accidentally poisoned.Poisons Don't All Bear the Skull and Cross BonesNot all substances that are dangerous are marked as such.

March 2 is National Read Across America Day. It's also called Dr. Seuss Day by some, and in some schools, teachers and kids dress up Cat-in-the-Hat style and enjoy fun activities around favorite books.

Many of the residents at Collinwood assisted living community in Fort Collins, CO, live vibrant, active lives. If you think retirement means sitting around and doing nothing, then you haven't visited anyone at our community! Aside from scheduled activities, including cooking classes, transportation to local cultural events and games of UNO, BINGO and Scrabble, seniors at Collinwood have their own appointments and obligations to attend to.

Valentine's Day might be the holiday devoted to love, but for many people, the holidays create romantic atmospheres and longings. Whether you're binging Hallmark Christmas movies full of new couples or have had your eye on the senior dating scene a while, there's no time like the present to put yourself out there. Because you're never too old to get to know other people and find new love.

Nearly everyone goes through a rough patch in life when they require assistance from others. The problem arises when someone needs help but doesn't like asking for it. So, what do you do if you've watched someone struggle significantly and you aren't sure how to help them?The Bible is filled with verses about helping those in need.

Cultural events, cooking classes and other fun activities help many of our residents enjoy life at Collinwood assisted living community. However, some seniors find they miss the mental and financial benefits of having a career, so they pursue money-making opportunities tailored toward their interests and skills. When work becomes a choice rather than a necessity, you may find that providing goods and services for others increases your self esteem, helping you make the most of each day.

It's a commonly accepted fact that spending time in nature reduces stress, and many popular outdoor activities also provide wonderful social opportunities. We are blessed at Collinwood to have ten acres of woods, walking trails and mountain views right outside our door. We often encourage our residents to take advantage of these amenities, but for those who are new to our community or are hesitant to stray far from their apartment, we've created this list of three benefits of reconnecting with n...

As we age, our immune systems weaken slightly, which increases the risk of getting colds and the flu, especially during the cooler months. While seasonal illnesses might not cause an issue for some, those with chronic health issues, those age 65 and older and the very young are at risk for complications.For this reason, it's important to take the necessary steps to help strengthen your immune system to prevent illnesses during the peak season. With the month of August being National Wellness...

July 15th was National Give Something Away Day, but seniors who have noticed that their space feels cramped don't have to wait until next year to clear some of their clutter. Clutter can add dangerous tripping hazards to rooms and make living areas feel crowded and uncomfortable.Though our residents have often already downsized, potentially more than once before moving into the Collinwood assisted living community, many of them still struggle to get started on deep cleaning or allow clutter ...

The advantage of eating vegetables is widely known, and consuming multiple servings each day is an important part of many doctor-recommended diets aimed at improving nutrition levels and lowering blood pressure.National Eat Your Vegetables Day on June 17th comes at a time when the farmers markets around Fort Collins are filling up with freshly picked onions, cucumbers, tomatoes and greens. This bounty of produce offers seniors the perfect opportunity to explore some of these easy ways to eat mor...

Warmer temperatures, more hours of daylight and plenty of local events are just a few of the reasons spring is a great season for seniors to improve their health.Individuals who struggled to keep a New Year's resolution to walk each day may find it easier to succeed by choosing routes through Collinwood's budding gardens and trails, and others who are determined to improve their diet may find motivation to eat healthier by visiting a local farmer's market and sampling its fresh, seas...

April is National Humor Month, which is a great time for residents at Collinwood assisted living community in Fort Collins, CO, to get together for fellowship and laughter. Social activity in general has many benefits for individuals of all ages, and for seniors, actively participating in community activities can help reduce risks of isolation and support cognitive functions.But when the activities involve laughter, there are even more potential benefits. Check out these reasons to seek out laug...

Whether you're enjoying coffee with friends in Collinwood common areas or brewing a cup of hot tea in your own assisted living apartment, do you default to decaf?Depending on your health concerns, lifestyle and preferences, you may not always need to avoid caffeine, according to some recent studies on the stimulant.Caffeine May Be Beneficial in Limited AmountsSome research indicates that caffeine may be a protective factor when it comes to the development of Alzheimer's or dementia. One ...

Valentine's Day and the surrounding month of February is a time that many people reflect on love. And while the commercial version of the holiday may dote on romantic love, the season is a great time for faith-minded seniors to contemplate greater themes of love in their lives. Whether you're part of a Bible study group at Collinwood assisted living community or you spend time considering the Scriptures on your own, the coming month is a great time to look into what the Bible has to say ...

Whether you prefer to look back or look ahead, New Year's Eve is filled with opportunities to fellowship with friends, enjoy themed activities and attend the last parties of December's busy holiday season. So, as you try out craft ideas and party plans, here are a few fun ideas to ring in the new year in your Collinwood Assisted Living community.Scrapbook Time CapsuleLocate photographs, news articles, souvenirs, letters or journal entries from the past year and transform the collection into a ti...

Collinwood is a pet-friendly assisted living community, though we can't accommodate animals of larger varieties. The community is also home to beautifully landscaped grounds, raised garden beds and walking paths, so whether you're a plant enthusiast or a pet lover (or both), we have something to offer. Having a pet companion or plants in your assisted living apartment can bring many benefits, but how do you know which option might be right for you?

A mobility device is anything you use to help you get around safely. They can range from inconspicuous braces to powered scooters or wheelchairs. While some older individuals might hesitate before turning to such devices — fearing what the use of mobility aids says about their independence or age — when you incorporate these helps into your life in the right way, the outcome can be overwhelmingly positive.

God's word shows you how to overcome weariness with the help of his lessons and examples. No one knows weariness better than God, who humbly put himself on this earth and on the cross for the sake of humanity. Jesus taught that humility and unconditional love could overcome all things, and you can overcome weariness by taking comfort from inspirational verses in the Bible.

Working with paint can bring all of your creative ideas to life, it can be a peaceful pastime and can unite you with your neighbors over shared crafty passions. We have several options for you to work with paint here at Collinwood, and we encourage you to pursue painting this July during World Watercolor Month.

While many of us have heard that we need to switch out white bread with healthier alternatives, the benefits of eating grains doesn't have to stop with store-bought whole wheat sandwiches and bagels. Though the dining room is always filled with healthy options here at Collinwood, we also want to see our residents enjoy eating wholesome snacks and meals in their own apartments or in our cooking classes. Grains are a great way to do that.Falling into the good carb category alongside fruits and ...

May is National BBQ Month, and even though you may no longer have a grill of your own, you can still celebrate this fun occasion here at Collinwood. Try out these ideas for yummy side dishes, new sauces and marinades you can make for family and friends or include in your next community get-together.

Moving into a Ft. Collins assisted living community can be exciting, especially if you look forward to all the available options for care, convenience and activity. One way to make the move into an assisted living apartment more enjoyable is to ensure you have the right accessories and decor items.

We’re excited to host a special networking event, Have Your Cake and Eat It Too, right here at Collinwood on Wednesday, February 14, from 3:00-5:00PM. In addition to enjoying some sweet treats (which everyone deserves in the middle of winter), visitors will have the chance to meet and mingle with our senior care professionals, including our Executive Director Kristen Jacoby and our Health Services Director, Jamie Bolton.We hope you’ll join us and find out more about our mission of in...

Home is where the heart is, yet as so many of us who love a good meal know, the quickest way to the heart can be through the stomach—or taste buds. Our culinary services team is dedicated to nourishing our residents, body and soul, with tasty, heart-healthy meals.To celebrate, we’re hosting a special “Caring is a Work of Heart” culinary event, and invite you to join us for a delicious meal and to learn about the benefits our residents receive from our nutritional strategy...

In November 2016, Colorado voted on Proposition 106, known as the "End of Life Options Act," which enables competent adults who are terminally ill to request and self-administer medication for the purpose of ending their life. Participation under the Act is voluntary for both residents and long-term care facilities, including Bethesda Senior Living Communities. Because we are a faith-based organization guided by scriptural teachings that all life is sacred and a gift from God, our organization h...

Our very own Abby Weldeab, Care Giver, is making a notable impact on the lives of our residents, while inspiring other staff to do the same! She is one of the many Bethesda Senior Living care givers training in Teepa Snow's POSITIVE APPROACH™ - a progressive therapy for helping seniors and their families recognize and manage the early signs of memory change. Abby has been a caregiver for 22 years, 15 of them at Collinwood.

We are pleased to share the critically acclaimed documentary Voices of Grief on Tuesday, April 26 at 6:00 p.m. The film, a Britt Penrod Audience Award Winner and Roy W. Dean Film Grant Finalist, offers a fresh perspective on how to honor, transform and integrate grief.