Loving our furry friends makes us healthier.

For National Dog Day on August 26, we honor our four-legged friends and their amazing contributions. They calm and comfort, save lives, help those with disabilities and serve in the line of duty alongside law enforcement and military personnel.

It’s fitting that cat lovers have their day, too, with National Cat Day on October 29. There are few things that can soothe a stressful day than petting a purring cat or laughing at a mischievous kitten. It’s what makes looking for a pet-friendly senior living community so important.

Taking care of a cat or dog can provide a sense of purpose and create much-needed structure and routine to our days, especially as we age. As retirement — or the pandemic for that matter — keeps us closer to home, a pet companion’s unconditional love and loyalty can stand in for family and friends. Just knowing there’s someone at home who needs you and is happy to see you can feel reassuring and rewarding.

Along with love and companionship, pets offer a variety of benefits for seniors.

Whether you love a cuddly cat or a plush pooch, caring for a furry friend could be good for your health*, according to scientists. It’s possible that a well-matched pet can help:

  • Decrease stress and anxiety
  • Decrease blood pressure
  • Decrease loneliness
  • Increase exercise and outdoor activity (dogs)
  • Decrease cholesterol levels (dogs)
  • Increase socialization (dogs)
  • Improve sleep
  • Improve self-esteem

*According to the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Making a move? Look for pet-friendly senior living communities in Phoenix, AZ.

If you’re looking to make a move with your favorite canine or feline, it’s important to verify that the residence, immediate neighborhood and broader community are all pet-friendly.

  • What are the rules and limitations regarding pets?
  • Does the apartment, condo or patio home have room for you and your pet to move?
  • Do you have easy access to the outdoors for your dog to exercise?
  • Can you easily take your dog for an extended walk or run?
  • Is it a safe area at night?
  • Is there a fenced-in dog park?
  • Are there pet waste stations?
  • Are there any organized pet-friendly activities?
  • Is there assistance available to care for your pet while you’re away or receiving medical care?

At Beatitudes Campus, your four-legged friend is most welcome. You’ll find doggie treats in every building, multiple dog parks with pet waste stations and paved walking areas throughout our campus — all within a gated, secure community monitored by staff 24/7. Our Beatitudes at Home program offers a variety of helpful services, including pet care.

Contact Beatitudes Campus in Phoenix, AZ

For more about Beatitudes Campus and our pet-friendly services and amenities, call us today at 602.883.1358 or send us a note using the form below.

If you’ve been wondering whether a move to a senior living community is the right thing, you’ll be pleasantly reassured to hear that life at Beatitudes Campus comes with fewer risks and many more rewards. We’ve reimagined senior living to enhance everyday life, even in a pandemic.

Healthy All Year Long

As experts in healthcare, senior living communities understand how to safeguard your health and well-being. The staff, including ours, follows strict protocols for safety and cleanliness, and most communities have the capabilities and resources to respond quickly and efficiently to any issues.

At well-planned communities like Beatitudes Campus, older adults are healthier year-round. Opportunities to take fitness classes, swim, dance, walk, garden, paint, learn a language, socialize, volunteer and participate in an array of activities and programs help keep bodies and minds sharp. Regardless of your age, being healthy is the best defense against any illness, especially colds and flus.

“I love the life here,” said Anita Shehi, who moved to Beatitudes Campus in 2019. “For me, there’s a sense of renewed purpose being active in the community, making new friends, volunteering, taking classes and getting back into learning.”

Social Distancing Without Social Isolation

Social distancing to stay safe has affected everyone. Not being able to enjoy the familiar routines of our favorite activities or the simple social interactions that come from dining out or gathering for meals has taken a profound toll on our cognitive abilities and mental and emotional well-being, not the least of which our healthy eating habits and waistlines. It’s been especially difficult for older adults who may be retired and live in one- or two-person households.

Building on years of experience developing social, recreational and educational opportunities, senior living communities are working hard to help residents stay active and connected. At Beatitudes Campus, staff and resident volunteers work together to create enjoyable virtual activities, physically distanced indoor festivities and carefully planned outdoor events that keep people engaged and moving.

As for eating healthy, senior communities make it easy to enjoy a variety of delicious and nutritious meals at on-campus restaurants. Beatitudes Campus, for example, has several restaurants, from a bistro and coffee bar to a steakhouse and grille to a gourmet dining room. Throughout the pandemic, the community’s staff has delivered made-to-order restaurant meals, groceries and essentials to residents’ homes.

“There’s nowhere we’d rather be than right here, especially now. We feel safer and more secure at Beatitudes. The staff handles everything,” said Dan and Marge O’Horo, who moved to Beatitudes Campus in 2016. “They’ve worked really hard to keep life fun and engaging as we stay home to stay safe.”

Access to Healthcare and Help at Home

In addition to enjoyable activities and convenient services, many senior living communities offer access to onsite healthcare, making it easier to treat illnesses and chronic conditions so they don’t escalate to a bigger issue. At Beatitudes Campus, you’ll find onsite health services, from certified 24/7 security response and an outpatient clinic for primary care and podiatry services to rehabilitative therapies and specialized care such as skilled nursing care and memory support.

While we’ve seen on the news how many people across the country have to wait in line for care, at Beatitudes Campus, you can make an appointment for a doctor’s visit, a vaccination or physical therapy session, for example. If you’re not feeling well enough to come in, we’ll send medical staff to your home so you never have to go without care. As we’ve mentioned before, Beatitudes Campus was part of the early vaccine rollout and continues to help get vaccines to those who are most vulnerable to the coronavirus.

Read More: Plan Now, Be Prepared For Tomorrow

Beyond in-home care, Beatitudes Campus also offers in-home support and assistance with a variety of tasks, including meal prep, pet care, errands, laundry, medication reminders and more — all helpful services whether there’s a pandemic or not.

“While we’re looking forward to getting back to our normal routine, we’re extremely grateful to be here during this difficult time. We can’t imagine trying to face this ourselves,” said Robert Andrews and Cynthia Cielle, who moved to Beatitudes Campus in 2019. “When deciding where to move, it was important to us to feel completely safe. We didn’t realize how very important that decision would become.”

Visit our video gallery and follow us on Facebook to see more about life at Beatitudes Campus.

Let’s talk about it!

Want to experience Beatitudes Campus for yourself, call us today at 602.883.1358 or send us a note using the form below.

Plan Now for the Future You Want

October is National Financial Planning Month, making it a great time to review your long-term planning and financial goals. If you’re not sure where to start, try thinking about what you want for your future. The questions below will help lay the foundation for the type of financial planning and lifestyle details you’ll need to research.

  • What types of activities, programs and amenities do you want easy access to?
  • What services will help make life easier for you as you get older?
  • Can you get assistance in your home if ever needed?
  • What type and size of residence would be ideal for aging healthy and safely?
  • Where will you go for future healthcare, such as skilled care or physical therapy and other rehabilitative therapies after surgery or an injury or illness?
  • How will you pay for your healthcare?
  • Which communities offer all of the things that you want and need?
  • What’s the cost to live in a senior living community?
  • What’s your timeline? Would moving sooner rather than later make the transition easier?

Start Your Research with These Financial Planning Resources

Thinking about and making decisions like these now not only ensures you have the future you want when you’re ready, it also brings security and comfort until then knowing you have a smart plan in place. To get there, you’ll need the information. At Beatitudes Campus, we give you all of the facts in black and white so you can decide for yourself.

Find out if a Life Plan community is right for you.

Get a broad overview of Life Plan communities, including the types of fees and financial plans they offer and what to look for when choosing a community.

Take a quick look at our cost and what’s included.

On the Beatitudes Campus website, you can see

Learn about the value of a Refundable Entrance Fee Plan.

A Refundable Entrance Fee helps protect your nest egg and ensures the stability of the community. Find out how.

Try our Cost Comparison Calculator.

Spend a few minutes with our Cost Comparison Calculator to see which residential options at Beatitudes Campus are a good fit for your needs and your financial situation.

Get an Overview of Beatitudes Campus

We invite you to learn about senior living at Beatitudes Campus. We make independent living easier by providing thoughtful services and amenities as well as onsite healthcare should you ever need it.

You’ll find residential options — from apartments and patio homes — in a variety of sizes and styles. Whatever you choose, our attentive staff takes care of the chores. Plus, you have access to restaurants, health and wellness opportunities, educational programs, entertainment and more.

It all adds up to make everyday living easier and more enjoyable, and it’s all covered by one monthly fee. With everything taken care of and conveniences close by if you need them, you’ll have fewer worries and a sense of certainty — surely a pleasant respite from all the unknowns.

Whatever move you make, you want to be certain that you’ve chosen wisely. With more than 55 years of experience, Beatitudes Campus is a trusted resource for older adults who want to live in a vibrant, active senior living community. The Beatitudes’ staff and residents lead the way, working together to create a very special community that helps make life better and more secure for everyone.

Let’s talk about it!

For more financial planning resources for seniors, call us today at 602.883.1358 or send us a note using the form below. Also, be sure to follow us on Facebook to see more of the active senior lifestyle at Beatitudes Campus.

Residents give you the facts.

Over time, myths and misconceptions can take the place of facts, especially when you’re talking about something that’s unknown or involves change. That often happens with senior living because people tend to think of what communities were like 50 years ago.

Today’s communities are working hard to meet the high expectations and preferences of older adults, which means you’ll find flame-grilled steaks and Starbucks coffee, line dancing and putting greens instead of stiff chairs and floral wallpaper.

To dispel some of the most common myths about senior living, we asked Beatitudes Campus residents to share their experiences. Here’s what they had to say.

MYTH: I’ll be stuck doing crafts.
FACT: Nope! Beatitudes Campus residents are a social and friendly group. We create and lead all types of programs on campus.

“Whatever your interests, it’s easy to find a program, group or amenity dedicated to it. If not, you can create your own. I’m a retired software developer. I use my technology background virtually every day, volunteering about 25 hours a week to host a Tech Talk show as well as to record and mix a weekly Happy Hour featuring performances by resident musicians. Both programs air on the closed-circuit TV channel for everyone to enjoy. It’s a lot of work, but I love it!

My wife and I take as many lifelong learning classes as we can, serve on committees and are involved with the Design Studio, a campus think-tank made up of residents who discuss ways to make Beatitudes Campus better and prepare for the next generation. But, of course, if you do like art, pottery, jewelry making and other types of crafting, you’ll find that here too. There’s something for everyone.”

— Robert Andrews, resident since June 2019

MYTH: The food is terrible.
FACT: Not at all! Beatitudes Campus’ has 4 restaurants with so many choices.

“We looked at several different communities and ate at each one. Beatitudes Campus offered the best dining options hands down. They offer more choices and flexible hours. Our financial plan includes $400 in dining credit at the Beatitudes Campus restaurants, which adds a lot of value, especially with no tipping allowed. You can choose the Bistro for breakfast and lunch. There’s Buckwalds, a steakhouse grille-type place for lunch and dinner, and Elaine’s for elegant dinners. They’re all very good.”

— Phil Adelman, resident since July 2017 

MYTH: I’m concerned about moving because I think I’ll regret it later.
FACT: Not likely. Most residents wish they moved sooner.

“I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone say they wished they hadn’t moved to Beatitudes Campus. My grandmother and mother lived here and now my sister and her husband as well as my husband and me. Given that three generations of our family have lived at Beatitudes Campus, I’d say our best advice is don’t wait too long. Move while you’re still young enough to enjoy it. My husband and I have been married for 32 years. We’ve made a lot of decisions together. Moving to Beatitudes Campus was the best decision we’ve ever made.”

— Cynthia Cielle, resident since June 2019

Let’s talk about it!

For more facts about senior living communities, call us today at 602.883.1358 or send us a note using the form below. Also, be sure to follow us on Facebook to see more of the active senior lifestyle at Beatitudes Campus.

Are you making decisions based on fact or fiction?
Find out as we dispel a few myths about senior living.

When you’re trying to decide on the best plan for your future, it’s natural if lingering concerns make you hesitate. What if those concerns are rooted in long-time myths about senior living and misunderstandings? How do you sort fact from fiction? If you’re thinking about your future, you need the facts, especially now when a worldwide pandemic has all of us feeling particularly uneasy.

MYTH: I’m safer where I live now.
FACT: You’re likely safer living in a well-managed senior community.

If you live in a condo or standalone home, you likely have to venture out in public quite a bit, which exposes you to a lot of people with the virus. Senior living communities are focused every day on keeping people safe, so your risk of exposure is much lower. Plus, it’s easier to stay home. Right now, most communities are delivering groceries, meals, medications and other essentials to your door. If you do get sick, many senior living communities offer in-home care and support if you need it.

MYTH: I’ll be even more bored than I already am.
FACT: Senior living communities are working hard to keep people entertained and engaged.

Certainly, life has a different tempo now. For example, just a few months ago, Beatitudes Campus was buzzing with activity as residents gathered for book club meetings, happy hours, fitness classes, musical performances, worship services, cards, games and more. But, today, we’re all finding new ways to connect and enjoy life.

Staff at senior living communities are hosting socially distanced events and online book club meetings, fitness classes, educational programs and other special activities. With virtual tutorials, residents are learning new skills at home, such as painting and jewelry making. Others are enjoying the outdoors on cooler evenings by walking, tending to their flowers and talking with friends on the patio — all socially distanced, of course.

MYTH: I already have everything I need.
FACT: At a senior living community, you’ll have access to everything you may need and more.

At a senior living community, you have the resources of the entire community available to you, from helpful staff and home delivery of the essentials to onsite healthcare. At Beatitudes Campus, we’re also providing frequent COVID-19 screenings and testing so you don’t have to travel to your doctor’s office or wait for hours in line at a testing site. And, when the pandemic is over, you’ll be able to enjoy an even more vibrant community filled with lots of in-person entertainment, and educational, fitness and social opportunities — all things that don’t come with a typical standalone house.

MYTH: This is not the time to make a move.
FACT: Now is a great time to plan your next move.

If you’re feeling uneasy about moving right now, that’s completely understandable. As you know, it takes time to make decisions, so why not use this time to explore your options? Learn about the services and amenities provided by senior living communities. Talk to residents. Ask about costs.

For starters, you can check out videos and floor plans on our website for a quick armchair tour of Beatitudes Campus. For an in-depth look, we’re offering video appointments with a residency counselor who can show you more and answer your questions.

See More: Virtual Tours

If you are ready to move, now is a good time. The real estate market is strong in Phoenix with high home values. At Beatitudes Campus, you’ll find residential options in a variety of sizes and styles. And, depending on your timeframe, we have an exciting, new option coming in the future. We would love to tell you all about it.

Let’s Talk!

For more facts about senior living communities, call us today at 602.883.1358 or fill out a contact form below.

Staying Active Offers Big Benefits for Older Adults

In honor of National Senior Health and Fitness Day on May 27, we invite you to mix more motion into your routine. Whether you’re learning to exercise for the first time or are a fitness enthusiast, now is a great time to take the next step toward better health.

Physical exercise offers significant benefits for all older adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other well-respected researchers. Being active helps maintain your ability to live independently and reduces your risk of developing diabetes and some cancers. It can help control arthritis pain, reduce your blood pressure, and improve your stamina and strength as well as your mood and emotional well-being.

Given those benefits and so many more, it’s essential that we stay physically active as we age. It’s also why Beatitudes Campus proudly fosters an engaging, active lifestyle. And, because everyone enjoys different types of activity, we offer a wide variety of fitness and wellness opportunities. From line dancing and tai chi to walking and water aerobics, from putting on the golf green to Wii bowling and more, there’s something for all ages and all fitness levels.

CDC Fitness Fast Facts

  • Improve your energy and stamina by doing activities and exercises that get your heart beating faster several times a week.
  • Get stronger by making your muscles work harder at least twice a week.
  • Virtually all types of motion counts as exercise, including walking the dog, doing laundry, taking the stairs and playing catch with grandchildren.
  • Among adults aged 65 years and older, walking and gardening or yard work are, by far, the most popular physical activities.

Try a Class

If you’ve ever played sports or enjoyed playing outside with your kids or grandkids, you know that exercising with others can be a lot of fun. It brings laughter and camaraderie and provides motivation and social support.

The best fitness classes bring together all of those elements plus an experienced instructor who takes the guesswork out of what to do, how to do it and when. If you’re looking for motivation and expert guidance while staying at home or want to try a class before taking it in person, check out the free exercise videos on the Beatitudes Campus Fitness YouTube channel.

Free Exercise Videos on the Beatitudes Campus Fitness YouTube Channel

Beatitudes Campus’ fitness trainers Mike Smallwood and Camille Beaubien lead you through a variety of exercises that promote strength, balance, mobility and flexibility. You’ll also find instructor-approved tai chi and yoga videos posted by residents. You can follow along in the comfort and privacy of your own home.

For most exercises, all you need is a chair and hand weights. If you don’t have hand weights, you can use something around your home that has some weight and is easy to grip. For example, try a filled water bottle, canned goods, a book, or bag of rice or beans.

Beatitudes Campus is all-in with fitness and wants to help you stay active and motivated. Be sure to join our fitness trainers Mike and Camille as they guide you through various wellness activity YouTube videos from home!

If you’re looking for additional research and education on the benefits of physical activity, check out this science-based guide from the CDC for the benefits, how to track your progress, and more.

Growing Stronger — Strength Training for Older Adults

To learn more about all of Beatitudes Campus’s fitness and wellness opportunities call us today at 602.883.1358 or contact us online at BeatitudesCampus.org.