No matter how long you've been a Christian, prayer is something you may work at continually. It's listed as one of the spiritual disciplines for a reason — because it takes discipline, practice and intention to achieve a strong prayer life. And whether you've been praying continuously for years, are new to the practice or just want to get better at spending time with God, you can leverage a few tips to enhance your prayer life.Don't Save Your Prayers Up for LaterLife is busy, even for seniors li...

According to a report by AARP, approximately 22 percent of people 65 and older are considered solo seniors, or those without a spouse or adult children to care for them. Without this support system, many seniors feel lonely and don't have anyone to call when it comes time to go on errands or just to chat about daily events and emotions. The good news if you are one of these seniors is that there are many ways you can build a solid support system even when your extended family doesn't liv...

Many people think of identity theft as a modern-day safety concern, but the first case of identity theft actually dates back to the Biblical days. In the book of Genesis, Jacob and Esau were twins, though they weren't completely identical. Jacob was jealous that their vision-impaired father favored Esau, so he disguised himself as his brother and requested blessings.

Whether you pick up a few bags of fabric leaves and wooden nuts at the craft store or ask your grandchildren to bring a collection of the real thing from their yard, the fall season is filled with potential supplies and inspirations for fun projects. The variety of DIY tutorials on popular blogs and social media sites such as Pinterest make it easier then ever to find interesting ideas that are appropriate for your grandchildren's age and ability levels. Here are just a few of the possibilities ...

According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, seniors are less likely to be victims of assault and robbery than individuals in their early twenties and teens. In spite of this, it's always a good idea to prepare yourself by learning how to protect yourself in compromising situations. Self-defense for seniors is less about learning how to fight and more about sharpening your awareness skills.

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health describes meditation as a type of mind and body practice that increases calmness, physical relaxation, psychological balance and emotional well-being. People of all ages practice meditation and often rave over the benefits of what one session brings. While the practice of regular meditation has been well documented, experts agree that seniors who meditate experience even greater satisfaction than other age groups when it comes to menta...

Whether it's an unfulfilled childhood goal they've never forgotten or a hobby they'd like to make a priority, there are many dreams seniors can pursue in their golden years. The advancement of technology makes this an exciting time for seniors to begin making the things they're passionate about a reality. Cell phones and tablets make it easy to stay in touch with others, and online resources bring a wealth of up-to-date information to seniors looking for the best places to travel,...

Spring, with its abundance of fresh flowers and newborn animals, is a frequent and fitting example of a Christian's life.We've spent the last few months here at The Gardens enjoying this time of revitalization through arts and crafts, flower arrangements and Easter celebrations.Summer officially begins next month, but before we say goodbye to the current season, let's dig a little deeper into the lessons we can apply to our personal lives through relatable Bible verses about spring t...

Whether they grew up dyeing, rolling or hunting them, eggs are frequently a part of seniors’ favorite memories of Easter. These colorful symbols of the holiday aren't the only ones that stir up nostalgia and bring a smile. Here are a few more types of candy and treats through the years that may be on a senior's list of favorite Easter things.CandyEaster is second only to Halloween when it comes to candy sales.

The author of the shortest book in the Bible manages to cover an astonishing number of topics in just a few verses. The brevity, however, shouldn't discourage seniors from digging deeper into the beneficial lessons this tiny powerhouse contains.Here are three of the things to take from the Book of Jude and apply to our own lives.1. Be on Guard Against False TeachingJude opens his letter by stating what he had wanted to write originally had changed, and he instead guides his listeners through...

February is National Snack Food month, and while we'd love to endorse a month of cake, cookies and various M&Ms, that's not a good idea for anyone. While it's okay to treat yourself from time to time, if you plan to keep snack foods on hand in your assisted living apartment, you may want to choose from some healthier options.Why Are Snacks Important for Adult Diets?Snacking has a bad rep, in part because we tend to associate it with sweets or greasy options such as potato chips. ...

December 11 was National App Day, making it a great time to get in touch with your technological side. Seniors at The Gardens Independent, Assisted and Memory Care community in Springfield have many conveniences and amenities on site, but you can increase your enjoyment of life or organization by downloading a few apps on your smartphone or tablet. Here are some suggestions for apps that seniors might find useful.Skype or FacetimeThese are both video calling apps that let you get face-to-face ti...

Checking off the names on your holiday gift-giving list may be easy or overwhelming, depending on your circumstances and personality. But whether you intend to take advantage of scheduled transportation and shopping trips from the assisted living community or want to shop online, we've got a few ideas to make your holiday gift-giving easier. Check out these gift ideas for different people in your life.

November is National Peanut Butter Lovers Month, which is a great time to learn a new PB snack recipe to keep your appetite in check between meals. And if you're not already a fan of the creamy or crunchy spread, it's a great time to try out some different ways of eating this wholesome nut butter.

One of the greatest benefits of choosing to make a home in an assisted living community is that you have the opportunity to make new friends and socialize on a daily basis. When you choose The Gardens in Springfield as your senior living community, you'll find a faith-based atmosphere and plenty of like-minded neighbors to share your life with.

It's normal to experience some loss of vision as you get older, but that doesn't mean you have to live with it. Here are some examples of age-related vision issues, what you can do to help yourself and when to see the eye doctor.

Maintaining a healthy weight and lifestyle depends on both diet and exercise, and it's important to start with activities that fit your current fitness level. Try out these five easy activities and then repeat the ones you like several times over the course of a day, and you’ll be on your way to healthy weight and lifestyle management.

God is our mainstay, our comfort and our support during good times and bad. And while God desires a relationship with us during all times, we may find it especially important to rely on God during very specific life events as older adults. Think about times you already draw closer to God, and check out this list to remember other times when God can be by your side during both difficulties and celebrations.

Summers in Springfield can really heat up, and as you age, it can be harder for your body to regulate itself to the heat. You can still enjoy the summer months, even spending significant time outdoors. You’ll just need to spend some time preparing yourself and brushing up on these tips for beating the heat and staying safe this summer.

Assisted living communities are terrific for giving seniors the ability to remain independent far longer than they may be able to do in a personal home setting. The time may come, however, when a greater level of care is necessary, whether it's because of physical ailments, the looming onset of Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.

We’re excited to host a special networking event, Have Your Cake and Eat It Too, right here at The Gardens on Thursday, February 22nd, from 4:00-5:30PM. In addition to enjoying some sweet treats (which everyone deserves in the middle of winter), visitors will have the chance to meet and mingle with our senior care professionals, including our Executive Director Denise Eleiott and our Health Services Director, Kirsten Eichner, RN.We hope you’ll join us and find out more about our miss...

The Gardens is pleased to announced that our community was recently recognized at the 2016 News-Leader Best of the Ozarks awards ceremony. Based on the Springfield News-Leader’s annual reader’s poll, these prestigious awards recognize the people, places and things that make the Ozarks special.Readers voted The Gardens as Best Assisted Living in the Ozarks for the second year in a row, and for runner-up as the Best Retirement Community of the Ozarks. On Jan.

Home is where the heart is, yet as so many of us who love a good meal know, the quickest way to the heart can be through the stomach—or taste buds. Our culinary services team is dedicated to nourishing our residents, body and soul, with tasty, heart-healthy meals. To celebrate, we’re hosting a special “Caring is a Work of Heart” culinary event, and invite you to join us for a delicious meal and to learn about the benefits our residents receive from our nutritional st...

As part of a faith-based nonprofit organization, giving back to our community is important to all of us at The Gardens of Springfield. In 2016, we’re proud to have supported three key organizations in particular: CASA of Southwest Missouri, the Alzheimer’s Association’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s and the Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks.“I am proud to give because these are great organizations to support,” said Denise Eleiott, executive director of The Gardens. “They each do tremendous work f...

Our very own Connie Dudley, Memory Care Director, is making a notable impact on the lives of our residents, while inspiring other staff to do the same! She is one of the many Bethesda Senior Living care givers training in Teepa Snow's POSITIVE APPROACH™ - a progressive therapy for helping seniors and their families recognize and manage the early signs of memory change. As Memory Care Director at Bethesda Gardens in Springfield, Connie Dudley is intent on empowering her team membe...

A maintenance-free lifestyle. A vibrant and stimulating atmosphere. A full social calendar with friends.