September Brings ‘Autumn Days of Cheer’
THE BROOKHOUSE BEACON IS PRODUCED BY ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR XERA QUATTROMANI
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September is Healthy Aging Month
September is significant for elders as it marks Healthy Aging Month, a time to focus on positive lifestyle habits for health and well-being. It is also a recognized time for National Senior Center Month, which highlights the important role these…
Redesignation of National Site Will Ensure Preservation of Salem’s Waterfront and Maritime History
It was an exciting day on August 8 when many local and national leaders came to our neighborhood to celebrate the recent passage of the Salem Maritime National Historical Park Redesignation and Boundary Study Act into law with a tour…
Brookhouse Home Receives $20,000 from Cummings Foundation
The Brookhouse Home received a surprise gift from the Cummings Foundation during a visit by representatives Sue Twombly and Barbara Layne on Monday, July 14.This surprise visit and generous gift of $20,000 is part of the “Make a Difference Dollars”…
Summer Is for Seniors Too
Summer offers many opportunities for seniors to stay active, socialize, and enjoy the warm weather. Some popular activities include gardening, taking walks or hikes, visiting farmers’ markets, enjoying picnics or outdoor dining, swimming or water aerobics, and attending outdoor concerts or plays. Additionally,…
Hot Weather Safety Tips for Older Adults
While summer brings us warmth and bloom, prolonged exposure to excessive heat in summer months can be dangerous. This is especially true for older adults. Every summer, more than 600 Americans die of health problems caused by excessive heat and…
May is Older Americans Month
Every May, the Administration for Community Living (ACL) leads the nation’s observance of Older Americans Month (OAM), a time to recognize older Americans’ contributions, highlight aging trends, and reaffirm our commitment to serving older adults. Older Americans Month has a…
Patriot’s Day Weekend Gives Us A Lot to Celebrate
This upcoming long weekend of April 19 through 21 is always called Patriot’s Day weekend in Boston and it remains “the Hub’s” favorite weekend on the calendar. Patriots’ Day is a Massachusetts holiday that commemorates the start of the Revolutionary…
March Newsletter
This newsletter is written and compiled by our Activities Director Xera Quattromani
Walking Improves Overall Health for Seniors
With better weather right around the corner, many of our residents look forward to walking outside. But, while we wait for more warm days ahead, there is no reason why simply walking indoors can’t have its health benefits, too. It’s…
Signs of Spring in February
By mid-February, we are finding ourselves looking outside at the snow, ice and bundled up passerbys and we have to ask “WHEN? When will it be Spring?” By mid-February, the infatuation with fluffy snows and chunky sweaters gives way to…
Celebrate the Power of Connection
With Valentine’s Day coming up in February, we believe one of the unique things about the Brookhouse Home is our friendships forged among our residents. Valentine’s Day is increasingly a chance to emphasize friendship and connection so we feel it…
Seven Tips to Beat The January Blahs
During the cold, winter months after the holidays many of us, including seniors, find themselves feeling down. Whether it’s due to the cold weather, shorter days, or reminders of missed loved ones, seasonal sadness can often creep in during this…
Twelve holiday activities for seniors
We are lucky at the Brookhouse Home as we are able to celebrate the season of Christmas and Hannukah with residents who also benefit from independent living. We enjoy in house activities but our residents benefit from being able to…
Six Healthy Eating Habits for Older Adults
As we age, our nutrition needs change—and many older adults don’t eat as well as they should. Following a balanced-diet meal plan can help you reduce your risk for illness and stay active and independent for longer. At the Brookhouse…
Halloween Craft Ideas for Seniors
Halloween in Salem, Massachusetts is unlike no other place and here at the Brookhouse Home we have a front row seat along Derby Street in Salem for all the Haunted Happenings. We have also decorated both the outside and inside…
Oct. 1 Marks the International Day of Older People
Tuesday, Oct. 1 marks the International Day of Older People which has been observed and supported by the United Nations for the past 26 years since 1998. International days and weeks declared by the United Nations are occasions to educate…
Fall Themed Activities for Seniors
Autumn is here and it’s time to start planning fun fall events for our residents. We don’t need to go far here in Salem, Massachusetts for Halloween themed events because of long Haunted Happenings celebrations from now until the end…
Celebrate National Senior Center Month
September is National Senior Center Month which is a great opportunity for all of us here at the Brookhouse Home to share our appreciation for the hard work of senior centers both regionally and around the country. There are approximately…
August 21 Marks National Senior Citizens Day
National Senior Citizens Day is upon us. Since it was signed by Ronald Regan in 1988, August 21 has been know nationally as senior citizens’ day. This annual event, now in its 36th year, has raised awareness of so many…
8 Favorite Summer Activities for Seniors
Summertime sometimes feels like it is just for kids, but seniors can also get out and play in the summertime. We have looked at 8 fun summer activities for seniors that can be easy and uplifting based on a recent…
Summer Solstice Marks the Official Start of Summer
The summer solstice is the longest day and shortest night of the year because of how the earth moves around the sun holds significant meaning in many cultures worldwide. It marks the official start of summer and is a pivotal…
Rethinking Age and Ageism
The Brookhouse Home works often with AgeSpan (formerly North Shore and Merrimack Valley Elder Services) and we are always interested in any new information on an important topic – ageism. Very recently, we were impressed by their new fact sheet…
May is Older Americans Month
Every May, the nation’s observance of Older Americans Month (OAM) marks a time to recognize our seniors’ contributions while also highlighting aging trends, and reaffirming ongoing commitments to serving the older adults in our communities. President Joe Biden spoke of…
First Females WWI Documentary: Senior History Presentation
From left, our administrator Judy Kane, and two staffers from Congressman Seth Moulton’s office Jean Fana and Danielle Leahy, and Director of Community Relations Laurie Fullerton The Brookhouse Home hosted two representatives from Congressman Seth Moultion’s office – Danielle Leahy…
Spring Has Sprung! Fun Activities for Seniors
Spring has sprung! Despite the calendar telling us it is springtime, the lingering cold weather and a growing reluctance to come out of hibernation can prevent us from getting into the swing of spring. Yet, springtime is especially important for…
Seniors Celebrate International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day (IWD) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. It is also a time, according to the United Nations, to remember to “invest in women and accelerate progress.” Ensuring women’s and…
February 16 Is National Caregivers Day
Family and professional caregivers spend a great deal of time caring for others — with some family members averaging 24 hours of care per week, studies show. Although it is truly a labor of love, at times the family caregiver…
February is Senior Independence Month
While many people may be aware that May is “Older Americans Month” – designated by President John F. Kennedy in 1963 – far fewer know that February also celebrates older Americans. On February 1, the nation will mark National Senior…
Ten New Years’ Resolutions for Seniors
Happy New Year 2024! According to Forbes Magazine the top New Year’s resolution in America in 2024 is to improve fitness followed by losing weight and eating better. For seniors, these goals are great but other goals like improving one’s…
Holiday Tips for Seniors: Focus on the Simple Things
During the holiday season, many seniors experience mixed feelings. Some people get a break from their routine to spend some time with family, but family is not always geographically close by or able to visit. At this time of year,…
‘Matter of Balance’ Course: Improving Balance in Seniors
November 15 was a significant day for our residents as they completed the ‘Matter of Balance‘ course which focuses on improving balance in seniors. They received not only a certificate of completion, but also a graduation ceremony marking the occasion.…
November Is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month
Many people wonder why their elderly parents or grandparents start to forget important information. They become confused and fail to communicate. These problems can be signs of Alzheimer’s disease, a degenerative brain condition that affects about 50 million elderly people…
The Benefits of Dancing for Seniors
Dancing involves moving and balancing techniques that make it a unique and fun exercise for seniors. Dancing can be anything from jumping, jiving, tap, tango, or moving hands, arms, feet, legs, hips and head around in any form. However, new…
Reducing Fear of Falling in Seniors
Fall prevention is a challenge for all older adults and this September the Brookhouse Home participated in a structured course sponsored by the National Council on Aging. Our residents worked on reducing fear of falling in seniors. Through a series…
Seven Tips For Healthy Aging
September is known as Healthy Aging Month, as it is just a great time of year to make some lifestyle changes. As our hot, summer days wind down, we all tend to draw on that “back to school” urge embedded…
Celebrate National Senior Citizens Day
National Senior Citizens Day, August 21, is the day to let seniors know how much you care and it’s an opportunity to recognize their accomplishments. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed this holiday to raise awareness about issues that affect senior…
Avoiding Dehydration in Seniors: Tips for Beating the Heat
Summer is the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends. However, it’s important to respect the heat and take precautions. Sun and heat exposure can be particularly dangerous for seniors. According to the CDC (Center for Disease…
Fun Summer Activities for Seniors
This is the season when the Brookhouse Home is especially beautiful because of our lovely grounds and gardens. We also benefit from the salt air and sea breezes off of Salem harbor. From our vantage point, we get to…
The Impact of Loneliness in Older Adults
On May 3, Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy released a new advisory calling attention to the public health crisis of loneliness, isolation, and lack of connection in our country. Even before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, approximately half of…
May is Older Americans Month
May marks the 60th anniversary of Older Americans Month. In a proclamation from President Joe Biden this week, he reminded the nation to honor senior citizens, mentioning that seniors have laid the solid foundation for the country we are today.…
Stress and the Elderly: April is Stress Awareness Month
Stress and the Elderly: April is Stress Awareness Month. Many older Americans are facing extremely stressful circumstances— and may encounter emotionally stressful situations that are more severe and occur more frequently. Some situational causes of increased chronic stress in older…
Challenges in Retirement for Seniors: Replacing Social Connections
An extraordinary 85-year-long Harvard research study found that retirees don’t miss working, they miss the people, and it is one of the biggest challenges in retirement for seniors. The study began in 1938 by gathering health records from 724 people…
Celebrating Women’s History Month Is A Chance to Celebrate Seniors
March is Women’s History Month! With women aged 60 and over now outnumbering men by over 7 million in the U.S., aging is truly a women’s issue. This month, we celebrate our seniors for the contributions they’ve made as women…
Aging Well Comes From Staying Connected
The belief that aging seniors can maintain their independence by staying in their homes or “aging-in-place” is changing. This is in part because so many seniors are aging alone. Additionally, older adults cope with age-related limitations like untreated hearing loss,…
Dementia and Social Isolation in the Elderly
On January 20th this past week, a report came across our evening news that made us all sit up and listen. A nine year study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that socially isolated older adults have a 27% higher chance…
Seasonal Depression in Seniors: 10 Tips to Beat Back The January Blues
January is often a long month after the excitement of Christmas and the New Year holidays, and is considered to be one of the most difficult times of the year. In fact, studies suggest that many people feel the January…
Happy Holidays from the Brookhouse Home
We wish all of you good health, warmth and cheer during this holiday season. We want to thank you all for your support and interest in our home over this past year. The Brookhouse Home does have some available rooms…
Holiday Tips for Seniors on Feeling Less Lonely This Season
The holiday season is here! We hope that with each year passing since the start of the pandemic, we are getting a little closer to returning to our holiday traditions – particularly gathering for parties, family dinners and time with…
Outstanding Team Award from LeadingAge Massachusetts
The Brookhouse Home for Women is the recipient of the 2022 Outstanding Team Award from LeadingAge, an organization representing the mission-driven, not-for-profit providers of health care, housing, and services for older persons in Massachusetts. The Outstanding Team award was presented…
The Benefits of Living in a Senior Community During Winter
As we turn the calendar towards November, thoughts of facing the winter weather can be challenging for seniors, with fewer options for social and physical activities when cold, icy conditions move in. Winter can prove to be an opportunity for…
International Older Persons Day 2022
In October we honor International Older Persons Day on Oct. 1 and look ahead to what the United Nations thinks are some of the greatest challenges to our elders. This year, on Oct. 1, 2022 which is officially the International…
Festive Fall Activities for Seniors
Autumn is here and for those of us in Salem, it means soon we will be immersed in Halloween events. However, being based in New England makes us think of other things that seniors may want to do to celebrate…
Cataracts Increase Risk of Falls Among the Elderly
It seems that every single one of us over the age of 55 may experience the effects of cataracts – an opaque or cloudy area covering what’s normally a clear lens in the eye. Not only can cataracts impair our…
Health Benefits of Gardening for Seniors
The lawn of the Brookhouse Home was the choice location for the Salem Garden Club’s reception at the end of this year’s Garden Club Stroll July 9th. Garden Club members thanked the homeowners involved in the tour and volunteers by…
Massachusetts Historic Preservation Grant
Preservation Massachusetts, in partnership with The 1772 Foundation, is pleased to announce the Brookhouse Home is one of sixteen recipients of Preservation Massachusetts 2022 matching historic preservation grants. Sixteen diverse projects from across the Commonwealth were selected to receive funds of…
Our Salem Seniors Celebrate Flag Day
Flag Day is a celebration of the American flag’s history that occurs each year on the anniversary of the flag’s official adoption, June 14, 1777. During the Revolutionary War, colonial troops fought under many different flags with various symbols—rattlesnakes, pine…
How the Five Senses Are Affected by the Aging Process
Understanding how the five senses change as we age can help all of us make accommodations that allow aging family and friends to get more satisfaction out of life. As much as we want an elder person to enjoy a…
May is Older American’s Month
May is Older American’s Month and this year will focus on how older adults can remain independent and active in their communities for as long as possible. When Older Americans Month was established in 1963, only 17 million living…
Patriot’s Day Massachusetts Holiday
This Monday, April 18 is Patriot’s Day – a unique secular holiday that is a source of great pride in Massachusetts. Patriot’s Day has origins here that go back to the very early days of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, according…
Stress and the Elderly: April is Stress Awareness Month
Stress and the Elderly: April is Stress Awareness Month. Most of us see and feel stress but studies have shown how stress plays a larger role among the elderly when it comes to our cognitive abilities. There is increasing evidence…
The Benefits of Flowers on Mental Health in Seniors
The Benefits of Flowers on Mental Health in Seniors: Those of us looking forward to spring are well aware that flowers are an instant mood-enhancer and provide greater happiness both in the present and long-term. But in case we want…
Women’s History Month Activities for Seniors
March 1 marks the start of Women’s History Month, and there are plenty of ways for senior women to celebrate and explore the stories behind the well-known trailblazers, fighters, and those who persisted. The Brookhouse Home is an historic home…
Herbs and Spices for Health in Seniors
One of the more common problems as we age is that for the elderly, is that many find that they subtly begin to lose their sense of taste. Further, a dulled sense of smell can hinder taste as well. Needless…
Senior Friendly Tips for Using Technology
As more and more elderly people have adapted to different aspects of modern technology, researchers have found that tech companies themselves have fallen short in making laptops, phones, tablets et al more user-friendly for senior citizens. It is estimated that …
Cold Weather Safety for Seniors
During the winter months, ice, snow, and cold temperatures can make life challenging for everyone, especially for the elderly population. Slippery sidewalks and cold weather can cause a wide range of injuries and illnesses, especially in climates like ours. At…
Ten New Year’s Resolutions for Seniors in 2022
Happy New Year 2022! Have you made any New Year’s Resolutions? Reaching some goals and making lifestyle changes is something that makes all of us feel good at any age. We uncovered these top ten suggestions for seniors making New…
Happy Holidays from the Brookhouse Home
As we settle into Christmas and the New Year, Brookhouse Home would like to take this opportunity to say a sincere thank you to all our family and friends for the love and support we have received this past year. …
Tips to Prevent Trip and Fall Hazards during the Holidays
Every year, more than 300,000 people ages 65 and older are hospitalized for hip fractures, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most due to falling. Fall risk is higher for seniors than other age groups, and holidays…
Celebrating the Festival of Light Nov. 28 through Dec. 6
At the Brookhouse Home, we have a Menorah in one of our windows that we light during the eight days of Hanukkah which runs from November 28 until December 6 this year. Brookhouse Home administrator Judy Kane wrote up the…
Tips to brighten up the holiday season for the elderly
With Thanksgiving fast approaching and the holiday season in full swing after that, the Brookhouse Home is making lots of plans to make the holidays bright for our residents. During the coming weeks, our Activities Director Marsha DiCesare has some…
November is National Diabetes Month with a focus on prevention awareness
November is National Diabetes Month, a time when senior communities across the country team up to bring attention to diabetes. This year’s focus is on prediabetes and preventing diabetes and it is estimated that millions of older Americans have “prediabetes.”…
Staying active is key; says 90-year old William Shatner after traveling to space
There seems to be no limit to what older adults are doing today, with the most recent example being former Star Trek actor William Shatner going into outer space this week at the age of 90 -becoming the oldest person…
International Day of Older Persons Now in its 30th Year
The International Day of Older Persons is observed on October 1 and 2021 marks the 30th year since it was approved in a vote by United Nations General Assembly. The theme for this year’s Older Persons’ Day focuses on finding more …
Salem for All Ages now in its fifth year
Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll marked the five-year anniversary of Salem for All Ages this week featured in an article in the Salem News. She noted, in particular, the ongoing work within our elderly community as our city has faced challenges…
Nutrition and good eating habits keep seniors aging well
People in the U.S. are living longer than ever before. Many older adults live active and healthy lives. But there’s no getting around one thing: as we age, our bodies and minds change. Having a healthy lifestyle can help you…
Pet therapy is both a source of comfort and good medicine
The use of pet therapy in health care is a definite growing trend. In fact, animal-assisted therapy is an acceptable treatment that is now being considered for chronic health problems, according to a recent article by the Mayo Clinic staff.…
Music and melodies promote senior well being
Music appreciation is something we all share in common at the Brookhouse Home. This summer we have had a series of Sunday afternoon concerts outside in the garden, as well as weekly music appreciation events on Thursday afternoons on the…
Long term benefits of exercise for seniors include a good night sleep
There is no question that physical activity has long-term benefits no matter what age. Having a sedentary lifestyle is clearly more of a concern than ever today, but for many seniors, an exercise routine needs to have a bit of…
Brookhouse Home recognized for work addressing elder health
The Brookhouse Home recently received a grant from the North Shore Community Health Network (NSCHN) to support our Integrated Restorative Arts and Fitness Program. NSCHN is a volunteer network of health and human service organizations on the North Shore and Cape Ann…
Brookhouse Home marks its 160th year in operation
The Brookhouse Home is celebrating 160 years as a home for women and throughout 2021, we will continue to honor and celebrate our long-standing place in Salem’s past, present and future. Looking back over 160 years, it is with incredible…
Communities of Strength is Theme for Older Americans Month
President Joe Biden declared today that May is Older Americans Month. He offered a special message reminding us that older Americans play a key role in sharing the wisdom and experience that inform today’s decisions and actions, and fostering the…
Gardens offer a sense of well-being for seniors, research suggests
April showers bring May flowers and as we wait and watch our garden grow, there is a lot of evidence that some form of engagement in leisure gardening, especially as one ages, may be crucial to continued well-being among seniors…
Walking offers health benefits down the road
New information has shown that many Americans gained an average of two pounds a month during this year long pandemic, which adds up to over 20 pounds. After a very long year in the house, we decided the ladies at…
Friendships remain vital for seniors
Friendships amongst seniors remain vitally important but are sometimes more difficult to sustain as life brings on many changes. Whether it is a new living situation or adapting to a major loss, the importance of making new friends is not…
Re-defining independence during a pandemic
February is National Senior Independence Month which was established to not only help seniors maintain control over their own decisions, but also to encourage them to look at their living situation and decide if they need to make lifestyle changes.…
Fall Prevention and Awareness Is Important to Us All
Winter has settled in and it is one of the most dangerous seasons for slips and falls. Yet, even in good weather, it is estimated that one out of every four adults over the age of 65 falls each year.…
2020: A Year of Little Things That Made a Difference
Looking back over 2020, the Brookhouse Home found that we really had to rely on the little things to keep our spirits up during a long year. Before the pandemic, organizations or individuals would regularly come to the Brookhouse Home…
A Powerful Glimmer of Hope during the Holidays
The Brookhouse Home for Women has always taken great pride in decorating our home during the holidays. We have not only enjoyed the benefit of some very creative people who have added beauty to our decorations, but we have also…
Being grateful during this Thanksgiving
The Brookhouse Home was featured this week in Gannett Company, Inc.’s regional newspapers which include the Salem Gazette, the Medford Transcript and many others. The article, written by correspondent Lara Salahi addressed how seniors are feeling isolated during the holidays…
Leadership and Community During a Pandemic
“We immediately made the choice to think proactively, staying ahead – instead of reacting – and considering our own environment, what steps we needed to take, even before it was time to. We kept residents at the center of everything…
Rest Homes adapt to challenges of COVID-19
The 76 Rest Home’s throughout Massachusetts, including the Brookhouse Home have served our communities well during this ongoing pandemic. The public, the families and our staff and residents all appreciate how we have handled this crisis. Expanding roles during a…
Honoring International Day of Older Persons on Oct. 1
October 1 marks the 30th Anniversary of the International Day of Older Persons founded by the United Nations, which is now in its 75th year. The theme this year is how the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted older people throughout the…
Eight opportunities to start a conversation with a senior about moving to a rest home
At the Brookhouse Home, we are aware that one of the most difficult conversations we have either with family or with ourselves is the subject of moving to a senior residence. We discussed some major indicators that should be considered…
Top Five Reasons for Considering a Rest Home
1. Socialization I think we all agree that the largest and saddest problem among seniors is isolation. In fact, studies and surveys alike indicate that the number one reason seniors live longer is socialization. Humans are social beings and the…
Telemedicine keeps seniors and physicians in touch
Telemedicine is beneficial across all health care settings, but it is considered a widely valuable asset to older adults living in rest homes. Adopting Telehealth platforms At the Brookhouse Home, our residents rely on their doctor’s appointments just as many…
The Brookhouse Has Seen it All
The Brookhouse Home for Women has endured both the Covid 19 crisis and the Spanish flu of 1918. Our city and our women were strong and resilient then as they are now. The Spanish flu of 1918 to 1920 spread…
Giving back to the community through our knitting group
The ongoing restrictions of the Covid 19 pandemic has limited some of the daily activities at the Brookhouse Home but this has not stopped the ladies from continuing their knitting. The Brookhouse Home knitting group began last year and was…
A Rest Home at the forefront
Although senior living communities have become very much an accepted way of life for many of those over the age of 65, the Brookhouse Home remains a forerunner of the current senior living model, and an alternative to more costly…
Building community is key to good health and wellness outcomes
The Brookhouse Home for Women is fortunate to have a staff devoted to keeping residents healthy, happy and engaged. For such a welcoming and active home, the past five months have been the most challenging for both our residents and…