Category: blog

In a recent Wall Street Journal article, the trend of aging at home was discussed, highlighting the importance of finding the right support for loved ones. While home care can offer comfort and familiarity, many families find that assisted living brings added benefits, like consistent care and an active community. McPeaks Assisted Living provides the perfect blend of professional care and a welcoming environment.

Personalized Care in a Comfortable Setting

At McPeaks, residents receive personalized attention that adapts to their unique needs. Our smaller, home-like setting allows for a more intimate approach to care, offering support where needed while encouraging independence. This level of care is hard to maintain with home-based services, giving families peace of mind.

Fun and Engaging Activities

One of the greatest challenges of aging at home is staying active and socially connected. With a variety of recreational programs, residents here can participate in daily activities that suit their interests and abilities. From creative projects to social events, we offer a lively environment that keeps everyone engaged and happy.

Affordable, High-Quality Care

Affordability is a key factor when comparing home care to assisted living. McPeaks provides exceptional service at a cost that fits within families’ budgets, ensuring your loved one receives high-quality care without financial strain.

At McPeaks, we strive to create a welcoming community where residents can enjoy life, stay active, and feel truly cared for, all while giving families peace of mind.

Regular stretching offers numerous physical and mental health benefits for seniors. These exercises enhance flexibility, blood flow, posture, and balance, reducing the risk of falls. Some studies have shown that stretching can increase serotonin levels, reduce stress, and generally feel better.

Some of the best stretching exercises for seniors focus on hip flexors and extension movements that improve flexibility and range of motion in the hips and upper back region while countering the effects of prolonged sitting.

When stretching, try to hold your stretch for 30 seconds to give your muscles time to relax. Other great stretches for seniors include:

• Neck: bring your chin toward your chest and turn your head side to side.
• Shoulder and upper arm: hold a towel in one hand over your head, letting it drape down behind your back.
• Chest: extend both arms to the side with palms facing outward and reach back with your hands. Use a wall if you have a hard time holding your arms up.
• Lower back: Lay on your back with knees bent, feet together and feet flat on the floor. Lower legs to one side, twist your torso until you feel a stretch.

These additional safety tips from The National Institute on Aging can assist you in your stretching exercises.

• Stretch when your muscles are warmed up.
• Stretch after endurance or strength exercises.
• Don’t stretch so far that it hurts.
• Always remember to breathe normally while holding a stretch.
• Consult your doctor if you are unsure about a particular exercise.

Remember, at McPeak’s we value our seniors’ health and wellness above all, so don’t be afraid to ask our well trained staff members for assistance. Happy stretching!

No two situations are exactly alike, and there are a lot of factors to weigh when considering moving to assisted living, whether for yourself or a loved one. Here are five signs that it might be time to start thinking about making the move to assisted living.

You Want to Expand Your Social Circle
As you or your loved one gets older and enjoys retirement, social circles can sometimes feel like they’re shrinking. Your friends may have moved away to be closer to their children or relationships you had during your working life have drifted apart.

Accidents and Falls are More Frequent
As the leading cause of injury among older adults, falls are often caused by an older home that isn’t designed with senior safety in mind. Car accidents also pose a major risk for serious injury for older adults. Especially if you or a loved one lives alone, making driving a necessity.

Home Maintenance Struggles
Aging often causes physical strength to decline. This can make it more difficult for you to keep up with housework and yard maintenance. Mowing the lawn, shoveling snow, and cleaning out the refrigerator can be difficult and even unsafe.

Difficulty Leaving Home
If you are having difficulty leaving your home you may benefit from moving to an assisted living community. McPeak’s offers expert staff who work with your needs. Plus all kinds of life enriching activities, fun programs, and transportation services are included to keep you engaged and comfortable.

Getting the Right Nutrition
One of the best things about assisted living communities is the restaurant-style dining rooms with well-balanced chef-inspired meals, snacks, and catered meal plans. You might benefit from an assisted living community if you find yourself skipping meals or relying on unhealthy fast foods.

Still not sure if assisted living is right for you? Feel free to reach us at (631) 475-0445 to answer any and all questions you may have.

McPeak’s Assisted Living provides the assistance and safe environment you need to live life to the fullest. We are ready to help you make the most of each and every day! We also offer a full range of social and recreational activities that can fill your day, so the world is your oyster this summer at McPeaks! Here’s a quick rundown of some fun summer activities.

Card Games, Arts & Crafts, Library

Test your skills and enjoy friendly competition with classic card games like Bridge, Poker, and Rummy. For those who love board games, we’ve got a variety of options from Scrabble to Chess. Or you can unleash your creative side, with our arts and crafts sessions. Lastly, lose yourself in the pages of a great book in our well-stocked library. Don’t know what to read? Check out our last blog posts for some summer reading recommendations!

Shuffleboard & Picnics in our Japanese Garden

Enjoy the best of outdoor recreation with Shuffleboard in the beautiful Japanese garden. Join us for friendly shuffleboard matches, where you can engage in light-hearted competition while enjoying the fresh air. After the game, relax and socialize with friends over an outdoor picnic!

Residents’ Council Meetings

If you are passionate about making our community the best it can be, consider our Residents’ Council Meetings and have your voice heard! Share your ideas, provide feedback, and collaborate with fellow residents and staff to enhance our living environment. Don’t miss out – your ideas and experiences are what make McPeaks truly special!

Beauty Parlor and Barber Shop

Pamper yourself at our on-premises Beauty Parlor and Barber Shop, right here at McPeaks! Whether you’re in the mood for a fresh haircut, or a relaxing manicure, we’ve got you covered. Enjoy some self-care, without the need to travel far.

At McPeak’s Assisted Living, summer is a time to try new activities, and enjoy the community we’ve built together. With a wide range of activities, there’s always something exciting happening. So, we look forward to seeing you at our events and activities at McPeaks!

Crafting is a wonderful way for seniors to engage their creativity, improve fine motor skills, and enjoy social interaction. Personalized picture frames add a unique flare to an already meaningful decoration. Here is a step-by-step guide to creating your own personalized picture frame!

Materials Needed:

In order to complete this DIY craft, you will need the following materials:

1. Plain wooden or cardboard picture frames
2. Acrylic paint and brushes
3. Decorative items (buttons, beads, shells, etc.)
4. Glue
5. Picture to display

Steps:

1. Paint the Frame: Start by painting the frame with whatever color you think looks best. After this initial layer, let the paint dry completely.
After the first layer is dry, feel free to paint more coats or even add a fun design on top.

2. Decorate: Stretch your creative muscle and glue on some buttons, beads, shells or bows. Maybe even some glitter! Make sure you decorate the frame
exactly to your liking.

3. Insert Photo: Once all the frame’s paint and glue is dry, insert a favorite photo or maybe even a piece of artwork.

4. Display: Show off your personalized frame on a shelf or give it as a gift to a loved one!

With summer just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to revisit your reading list! Summer is the perfect time for some leisurely reading, so we’ve put together some reading recommendations that will offer you a chance to explore, without leaving McPeak’s!

“Chestnut Street” by Maeve Binchy is a collection of interconnected short stories centered around the residents of Chestnut Street, a fictional location in Dublin.

“And Ladies of the Club” by Helen Hooven Santmyer depicts the lives of members of a women’s literary club in fictional Waynesboro, Ohio, from the post-Civil War era to the 1930s.

“The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie” by Alan Bradley is an old-fashioned mystery novel set in the English countryside in 1950. The main character is an 11-year-old amateur investigator who uses her skills to clear her father of a murder charge.

“The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic and Madness at the Fair that Changed America” by Erik Larson alternates between two men during the Chicago World Fair. While one man, the architect, builds the fair’s attractions, the other man, the murderer, constructs a torture chamber just outside the fairgrounds.

“The Diamond Eye” by Kate Quinn follows a studious young mother who becomes a deadly sniper with over 300 kills. Based on the real life story of Soviet sniper Mila Pavlichenko, this work of historical fiction imagines a new chapter in Pavlichenko’s life

“Lessons in Chemistry” by Bonnie Garmus depicts Elizabeth Zott, a female chemist on an all-male team in the 1960s. Unforeseen events thrust Elizabeth into the limelight as the star of America’s favorite cooking show. Elizabeth must navigate chemistry, cooking and challenging the status quo.

“Run, Rose, Run” by Dolly Parton and James Patterson follows a singer-songwriter who’s chasing success and running from her past in this Nashville-set thriller.

We hope that you will find some time this summer to enter any one of these action-packed universes, all while in the comfort of your home at McPeak’s!

The summer season is a great time for outdoor recreation, whether it be sports, birdwatching or hiking. However, at McPeak’s Assisted Living we’d like to remind our residents about the importance of safety precautions during the summer months. We’ve compiled a list of summer safety precautions tailored to seniors, so they can safely enjoy Long Island’s beautiful summer season.

1. Monitor Weather: Make sure to stay up to date with the local weather forecasts, whether it’s through the radio, newspaper, T.V. or weather apps. Staying informed will help you make the best decisions about what precautions to take.

2. Sunscreen: Remember to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Sunscreen is very important, even on cloudy days to protect against sunburn and reduce the risk of skin-related cancers. A bonus tip is to wear a hat or sunglasses for extra sun protection.

3. Stay Hydrated: Be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day in order to keep your body hydrated. Aim to drink around 4-8 glasses of water a day, since seniors are more susceptible to dehydration.

4. Dress Appropriately: Opt for lighter breathable fabrics such as cotton and linen. Lightweight and loose fit clothing is important for keeping the body cool and preventing overheating.

5. Use Bug Spray: Utilize bug repellent sprays when spending time outside in order to protect your skin from mosquito and/or other bug bites.

By following this summer safety precautions, seniors can enjoy the beauty of the season while minimizing discomfort from harsh environmental factors. Our dedicated staff is here to support residents every step of the way, ensuring they can thrive and make the most of the summer season!

As the flowers bloom and the birds chirp, spring brings a renewed sense of energy and excitement. From outdoor adventures to creative pursuits, there are countless ways for seniors to celebrate this vibrant time of year. Here are some fun and engaging activities for seniors to enjoy this season:

1. Nature Walks: There’s no better way to appreciate spring than by taking a stroll through nature. Explore nearby parks, gardens, or nature trails, soaking in the sights, sounds, and scents of the season.

2. Birdwatching: Spring is a prime time for birdwatching as migratory birds return and nesting season begins. Set up bird feeders or birdhouses in outdoor spaces to observe and identify different bird species. Consider organizing birdwatching outings to nearby birding hotspots for a more immersive experience.

3. Seasonal Crafts: Get creative with spring-themed crafts and decorate your living spaces! From painting flower pots and making floral arrangements to crafting bird feeders or creating nature-inspired artwork, there are endless possibilities for artistic expression this season.

4. Gardening: Digging in the dirt and nurturing plants can be incredibly therapeutic and rewarding. This spring, consider participating in container gardening, planting raised beds, or community garden plots. Gardening not only promotes physical activity but also creates a sense of connection to nature and a feeling of accomplishment as plants flourish and bloom.

5. Picnics and Outdoor Gatherings: Take advantage of the weather by organizing outdoor picnics, barbecues, or social gatherings. Set up picnic tables or blankets in a designated outdoor area and serve seasonal treats like fresh fruits, sandwiches, and lemonade!

No matter how you choose to spend your spring, remember to embrace the beauty and vitality of the season.