5 Park Amenities to Improve Community Wellness

14 March 2022

Fitness is for everyone, and communities can play a large role in helping prevent obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and other conditions. The sedentary lifestyle most adults and children lead puts them at a greater risk for a number of ailments.

While it’s up to every person to choose a routine that works for them, there are ways community leaders can help, too. The local park is the perfect canvas for transforming your community into a fitness oasis. These five amenities are ideal for all ages, including small children and senior citizens.

5 Park Amenities to Improve Community Wellness

1. Outdoor Gym Equipment

There are plenty of park exercise equipment options to choose from. In addition to adult options, there is also a wide range of outdoor fitness equipment for kids. Rather than rely solely on playground equipment, take things like bars, balance beams, and agility poles into consideration.

For adults, it’s important to ensure that any equipment you purchase is accessible for people of all fitness levels. You should also include a variety of equipment that can be used by those who require mobility assistance.

2. Walking Trails

Designated walking paths encourage residents to get out and enjoy the sunshine. You can use these paths to plant trees and flowers, too, boosting the community value and eco-friendliness. A walking trail is easy to lay, but it should be done with non-slip surfaces in mind. If you include any barriers or stonework, make sure that they are still accessible and safe for those who use wheelchairs or walkers.

Avoid any surfaces that become extremely slick when wet as well. Some people enjoy their daily walks even on a rainy day, and you don’t want the park to become a hazard. You can also have information about things like the best shoes for runners and the importance of hydration when walking the trails available so people’s experience can be well rounded, and safe.

Related Resource: Theme Parks Suitable for Families with Young Kids

3. Community Pool and/or Splash Pads

Is there anything more unifying than a community pool? These are where summers are made for children and adults alike. Hosting weekly water aerobics classes, including ones for babies and senior citizens, can get everyone active in a safe way.

You can even earn money for the community by hosting affordable swim classes for all ages led by a certified instructor. Splash pads are great for younger children whose parents want them to cool off without taking a full-on dip in the pool. They can also be a good way to provide relief from the summer heat if your park isn’t big enough to accommodate a community swimming pool.

4. Basketball Court

A basketball court invites everyone to shoot some hoops and get in shape. This is a great way to encourage your child to be active and also be social. Kids and teens in particular love to hang out on the court after school, and this outlet can provide a safe place for them to make friends with their peers.

Be sure to provide some equipment rental options as well. Not everyone owns their own ball, but they should be able to borrow one for a game with friends or family.

5. Dog Park

Dog parks are a great addition to any community. In addition to helping pet owners spend more time with their four-legged friends, they also encourage more walking throughout the neighborhood. As most people will likely walk their dogs to and from the park, you can encourage more movement by creating a space big enough (and safe enough) for canines of all sizes. It may be helpful to set up a divider that allows dogs 20 pounds and under to play in their own area. This will prevent any accidental injuries.

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6 Reasons To Prefer Patient-Centered Care For Older Adults

When a person grows old, he/she becomes dependant on other people. Sadly, isolation can bring drastic effects on an aged patient’s wellbeing as he/she’s more susceptible to develop negative consequences. That’s why experts often pursue senior companionship programs for older people. It’s an unfortunate fact that many hospitals worldwide still do not follow a person-centric approach. This innovative model focuses on prioritizing a person’s values, desires, and preferences in making healthcare decisions. Some elements that furnish an effective patient-centric plan involve focusing on physical and emotional wellbeing and having a family member present in the care setting. This approach also concentrates on providing accessible, cooperative, and collaborative facilities to the aged patients while allowing them to make informed decisions. The elderly population in the United States is growing rapidly. It’s expected to exceed from 17% to approximately 20% by 2050. It is worth mentioning that, like every other population, senior citizens in America are also more vulnerable to isolation. These factors contribute to different challenges associated with the mental and physical wellbeing of old people. In this article, we’ll provide an extensive explanation of why aged patients must receive patient-centered care for better results. Some of its benefits include: 1. Job satisfaction: Satisfied doctors are more likely to treat their patients productively. It’s been observed that patient-centered care even motivates physicians to become more efficient at their jobs. Many medical practitioners, especially nurses, take a step ahead by enrolling in various MSN to DNP nursing education programs for excellence in their careers. This extra qualification enables healthcare professionals to focus on the strategies that can help them attain the best outcomes for aged patients. Hence, patient-centric care empowers the staff, which indirectly affects the mental/physical health of the old population. 2. Healthy environment: Hospitals implement a patient-centered model to incorporate the patient-first approach. This leads to the creation of a supportive environment where patients are provided individualized attention and personalized healthcare. This environment contributes to the patient’s emotional wellbeing. This model further streamlines the workflow, thereby enhancing the organization’s overall efficiency. Patient-centric care ensures that the staff eliminates every inefficiency and capably delivers the facilities your patients need. 3. Patient engagement: The ancient residents feel valued and respected when hospitals implement a patient-centric model. Focusing on their needs and abilities, patient-centered care enables patients to participate in decisions related to their healthcare plans actively. With a quality-based patient experience, hospitals can drive greater patient engagement. When you deliver a personalized experience to the patient community, they communicate efficiently with the medical staff. This communication leads to their well-being. When your patients feel satisfied with the healthcare they receive, it increases their life expectancy. Since the individualized care makes them feel important again, patients believe that they’re leading a purposeful life instead of living a pathetic, meaningless existence. 4. Patient profile: The patient-centric model allows the creation of a holistic patient profile for better healthcare facilities. This approach enables the medical staff to collect the patient’s information for better understanding. Now, whenever a patient engages with a medical expert, he/she will access the patient’s medical records. This practice enables doctors to understand the patient’s unique touchpoints – risk factors and medical records – to provide the right medicinal solutions. 5. Mental health: The elderly often feel helpless and secluded from their surroundings. This sense of isolation isn’t healthy at all! Boredom affects the mental health of elderly patients. However, patient-centered care allows them to engage in several activities. These actions ward off depression and cure their sense of solitude. Some of these riveting activities involve mundane tasks such as: Painting Gardening Listening to music etc. A study published by Pew Research last year showed that one-fourth of US adults aged 60+ are living alone. This means more and more adults are likely to face mental health issues, which has increased the need for quality health care in older adults. 6. Good reputation: This approach improves patients’ satisfaction since the patient-centered service aligns with the patients’ healthcare expectations. The Beryl Institute found that over 70% of patients would share their good or negative experiences at a healthcare institute, making satisfaction important for your reputation. This practice also improves your organization’s public perception. Since we live in a world where online reviews are of uttermost value, it may affect a hospital’s reputation if patients aren’t happy with the health outcomes. Patients who feel that they’re properly taken care of by the medical staff enable the organization to maintain its reputation and remain in patient’s good books. Conclusion: Patient-centered care helps them curb loneliness and escape isolation. This approach improves the healthcare outcomes in any country for the aged population. In the end, several researchers have demonstrated that patient-centered care has better results than traditional medical maneuvers for the elderly. Hospitals that implemented a patient-centered approach have reported better health outcomes since patients recover faster and don’t frequently visit ER. Read Also: 5 Best Ways For Seniors To Pass The Time Senior Staircase Safety: What You Need to Know 6 Effective Ways to Improve Your Mental Health

Discusses the Growing Problems of Living Alone

Researchers have concluded that living alone, being socially isolated, and feeling lonely can pose significant health risks, particularly in older adults. Although the terms living alone, social isolation and loneliness are often used interchangeably, they are not the same thing. Specifically, living alone and being socially isolated are objective determinations either that a person lives solo, or has few relationships or infrequent social contact. According to the Administration on Aging (a division within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services), nearly one-third (28%) of non-institutionalized adults 65 and older – 13.8 million people – live alone. Despite living alone, however, these adults may or may not be included within the category of social isolation depending on the nature of their relationships and the frequency of their social contacts. In contrast, loneliness is determined on a subjective basis. Loneliness is based on a person’s individual feelings of disconnectedness, isolation, or not belonging. Said differently, loneliness arises because of the divergence between a person’s desired level of social connection and the actual level of connection. To be clear, a person living alone may not necessarily feel lonely, whereas someone living with a number of other people may still experience loneliness. Risk Factors A recent survey of older adults determined that 43% feel lonely on a regular basis. More concerning is that among those who report feeling lonely, there is a 45% increased mortality risk. Steve Cole, the director of the Social Genomics Core Laboratory at UCLA, explains: “Loneliness acts as a fertilizer for other diseases. The biology of loneliness can accelerate the buildup of plaque in the arteries, help cancer cells grow and spread, and promote inflammation in the brain leading to Alzheimer’s disease. Loneliness promotes several different types of wear and tear on the body.” Research has established links between living alone, social isolation, and loneliness to a variety of physical and mental conditions, including high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, a weakened immune system, anxiety, depression, cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s disease, and even death. Indeed, a recent meta-analysis – representing cumulative evidence from 148 studies involving over 300,000 participants – determined that greater social connection is associated with a 50% reduced risk of early death. A second meta-analysis by the same researchers – representing cumulative evidence from 70 studies involving more than 3.4 million participants followed for an average of 7 years – similarly concluded that living alone (objective determination), social isolation (objective) and loneliness (subjective) each had a significant effect on the risk of mortality. Specifically, the analysis concluded that the likelihood of death increased a statistically significant 26% for loneliness, 29% for social isolation, and 32% for living alone. To put those risks in context, the researchers determined that the magnitude of risk is comparable to – and in some cases even exceeds – other well-accepted risk factors such as smoking (up to 15 cigarettes a day), obesity, lack of physical exercise and high blood pressure. Loneliness has also been associated with increased emergency admissions to a hospital, longer length of stays, and delayed discharges. In fact, a November 2017 study concluded that the lack of social contacts among older adults is associated with an estimated annual increase in Medicare spending of $6.7 billion. One Can Be the Loneliest Number, But it Doesn’t Have to Be Greg Bishop, an attorney in Park City, suggests that retirement is a great opportunity to develop the types of connections that can prevent or alleviate the health consequences of living alone, being socially isolated, or feeling lonely. He notes that although there is a general consensus about the potential problem areas, the solutions are more elusive. He explains that although living alone and being socially isolated are determined objectively, the underlying causes are overtly personal. For example, living alone may be the result of the death of a partner or because of a recent divorce, whereas being socially isolated may arise from relocating after retirement or from the children moving away. Given that the underlying causes vary drastically, the solutions for living alone, being socially isolated, and feeling lonely will also differ. In short, there is no one-size-fits-all solution to these issues. That said, older adults will likely benefit from the following suggestions: Proactively stay involved in the lives of your family and friends. Find meaningful ways to connect with them via video chats, phone calls, text messages and letters Establish new social connections – go to the gym, take a dance class, learn to play chess, or join a book club Establish a more meaningful relationship with a church or social groups Look for opportunities to help and serve others. Fred Rogers – the television icon from Mister Roger’s Neighborhood – shared that when he was a boy and saw scary things on the television news, his mother told him to “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” While that advice comforted him as a child, perhaps better advice for older adults dealing with social isolation and loneliness would be to “Look to be a helper. There are always people who are in need of help.” Read Also: Why Do You Need a Queens Personal Injury Attorney 6 Signs That You Need To Hire a Personal Injury Attorney Don’t Battle It All Alone: 5 Reasons Why You Need an Adoption Attorney These Four Qualities Are What You Should Be Looking For In Attorneys!

Elements Figuring out the Medication Cost

There are lots of factors to consider when figuring out the medication cost of assisted living. The best way to figure this out is to compare different options and determine what works best for you. For example, you may need to pay for a level of care, but you can also find an affordable option that has an all-inclusive price. This means that the price includes everything, including meals, utilities, transportation, and other activities. Some all-inclusive prices include medical services, too. This is a good choice for those who have many needs. One bill covers everything and will leave you without worrying about each penny. #Vary from Community to Community The costs of assisted living vary greatly from community to community. Most communities have a base fee, and then charge extra for more services. This means that the monthly cost of care will go up. For example, a tier-one facility will have only basic services, while a tier five facility will offer more comprehensive health care. #Residential Unit The medication cost of assisted living depends on several factors. The price you pay will depend on how much assistance your loved one requires, and the size of the residential unit. The cost will also depend on the type of services that your loved one needs. Some facilities have nurses who can administer their medications, while others have staff who are more limited in their services. #Vary by Location and Level of Care The price of assisted living can vary by location and level of care that you need. Depending on the area you live in, you can expect to pay $1,400 to $4,600 per month for an independent living community. The most expensive option will be a nursing home, which provides more comprehensive healthcare. For this reason, it's best to compare the two options before making a decision. #Factors Influencing Medication Costs While most residents choose to pay from their resources, many people will need to consider some factors before making this decision. The cost of assisted living in California will be higher than the national average. For low-income residents, it is important to consider where the person lives. Some people prefer to live in a community where their relatives live. #Making a Decision The medication cost of assisted living is one of the most important factors to consider before making a decision. While it can be a considerable expense, it is often necessary for the aging adult to remain in a place where he can receive the best care. Consequently, this is a great opportunity for the veteran to maximize his or her benefits. #Funded by Federal Government Depending on your state, Medicaid covers a portion of the cost of assisted living. However, it is important to check the fine print of the contract carefully before signing any agreement. You may be able to qualify for assistance through the medication of your choice. You can also qualify for additional help if you are unable to afford the care you need. If you need assistance, the medication cost of assisted living may be the only option. #Financial Assistance Program Because Medicare does not cover assisted living, many older adults do not qualify for it. There are also several different levels of care, depending on the level of health. While some are more expensive than others, the benefits of these programs should still be worth it. If you do qualify for these programs, you will be able to get some help for your aging parents. #Charge a Fee for Medication You can get a free estimate of the medication cost of assisted living by completing an online form. Then, contact the facilities to get a quote. You can also contact the nursing homes directly to ask for more information. This will help you make an informed decision. Whether you need in-home or out-of-home care, you should be able to pay the medication cost. Image Source: https://lovingassistedliving.com/cost-assisted-living/ Read Also: Strengthening Your Community In 2018 Become A Foster Parent – Make An Impact On The Community Wpc16 Com Dashboard Review – All You Need To Know

5 Park Amenities to Improve Community Wellness

5 Park Amenities to Improve Community Wellness

1. Outdoor Gym Equipment

2. Walking Trails

3. Community Pool and/or Splash Pads

4. Basketball Court

5. Dog Park

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Content Rally

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

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6 Reasons To Prefer Patient-Centered Care For Older Adults

Discusses the Growing Problems of Living Alone

Elements Figuring out the Medication Cost

5 Park Amenities to Improve Community Wellness

5 Park Amenities to Improve Community Wellness

1. Outdoor Gym Equipment

2. Walking Trails

3. Community Pool and/or Splash Pads

4. Basketball Court

5. Dog Park

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WHY ARE MORE THAN HALF OF SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY CLAIMS DENIED?

Three Ways of Controlling the Population Growth

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

Leave a Reply

Popular

Follow Us

Recent

Related