Senior Lifestyle Blog from Heather Glen at Ardenwoods

The Art of Minimalism for Seniors

The idea of minimalism is not entirely new. It has been around for quite a while, but is seeing a resurgence in our lives today. Minimalism is the art of having fewer physical things and burdens in and around your home so you can focus on other things that you care about.

Throughout our lives, it’s no big secret that we tend to acquire a whole bunch of stuff. We may find ourselves going through a sea of things each time we move to another home or area, or maybe during a spring-cleaning spree. The average American home has more than 300,000 items in it, ranging from clothes, books, kitchen utensils, toys and more. As a society we are drowning in stuff.

It would be one thing if stuff we owned actually added to our general levels of happiness and productivity, but for most people, it brings anxiety and dread- definitely not the key to happiness!

Why Mom and Dad Will Love to Retire to Western North Carolina

You may be researching any number of places as you figure out where mom and dad may like to retire.

There are many fantastic towns and cities that exist and they all have a certain charm for those who may want to retire there.

Whether you’re looking for new opportunities for your aging loved ones to enjoy the second half of their lives via education, a change of scenery from their hometown, or the need to be closer to you, Western North Carolina may be one of their top choices on that list.

WNC consistently ranks high on places to retire, and we’re about to show you why.

Below are 6 reasons you should have mom and dad consider retiring to Western North Carolina.

Heather Glen Marketing Team

The marketing team from left to right: Gena Duncan, Marcella Gibson, and Sarah Marr

The Ardenwoods and Heather Glen Marketing Team are among the first faces you’ll see when you come to visit Ardenwoods and Heather Glen. Their friendly smiles welcome you as you come in for a tour or for a marketing event. From the very beginning of the sales process all the way through your move in date, the Marketing Team walks with you every step of the way. Meet each member of the team that you will work with at Ardenwoods if you decide to live here!

Sarah Marr, Marketing Director, has been with Ardenwoods since 2014 and became the Marketing Director in 2017. Her favorite part about working here is getting to know all the residents and their families. Sarah loves to travel; she has been to over 18 countries and is working her way through all of the National Parks.

Gena Duncan, Sales Associate and Public Relations Manager, has only been with Ardenwoods for two years, but has 11 years of experience in the industry. Gena splits her time marketing for both Ardenwoods and Heather Glen. When she is not working, Gena can be found spending time with her three grandkids, riding her Can-Am motorcycle, and camping.

Our Marketing Coordinator, Marcella Gibson, came to Ardenwoods in 2017. She works to get your new home at Ardenwoods ready for your move in, according to the renovations and floor plan you select. After you move in, you will often find Marcella at many Ardenwoods events, taking pictures for our social media and socializing with our residents and their families. Marcella plays an active role in her church and loves going to concerts, sporting events, and the movies.

Our Marketing Team is always excited to welcome you to the close-knit communities of Ardenwoods and Heather Glen! We’ll do our best to make sure you enjoy your exploratory visit and hope that you’ll consider our amazing retirement community for the next phase of your life. We’re sure you’re going to love it here!

Ways to Have a Sense of Belonging in Your Continuing Care Community

It is a well-known fact that as people age, they often withdraw from others, whether it be because of health issues, not wanting to be a “burden” on others, or simply think they are too “old” to make any positive or lasting changes. Many older adults may become anxious, depressed, and lonely as they age, and may begin to simply give up on life, choosing to isolate and “stay out of the way.”

There can be a loss of “purpose” as people get older, as their kids are grown and living their own lives, they may be retired from a lifelong career, and diminishing physical abilities may keep them from doing things they love.

Feeling at home in a retirement community can help your loved ones see that there are still people who love and care for them and want them to succeed. People think that living at a retirement community is a sign they can’t do things for themselves, but that is far from the truth.

Retirement communities offer a unique opportunity to get involved with campus events, classes and other learning opportunities. There are many ways to have a sense of belonging at Heather Glen and families can help their love ones get engaged with all the goings-on.

The Three “L’s” for Choosing a Senior Living Community

retired friends eating outdoors

As you approach your golden years, you may be thinking about what you want out of life and where you’d like to call home. Most likely, your needs have changed as you’ve gotten older — your children have grown and now have lives of their own, you have an accomplished career, and now you’re looking to be able to continue to enrich your life in ways you may not have had time for before. Choosing the right senior living community will be one of the most important decisions you’ll make as you transition into this exciting time. Here are some of the most important considerations to keep in mind as you search for the best fit for you.… Read More