Author: Westminster

Westminster Communities Of Florida Wins Gold, 5 Awards in 2021 National Mature Media Awards

Westminster Communities of Florida was a winner in the 30th Annual National Mature Media Awards Program. The program, presented by the Mature Market Resource Center, a national clearing-house for the senior market, recognizes the nation’s finest marketing, communications, educational materials, and programs designed and produced for older adults. 

The organization was pleased to receive a Gold Award for its “Westminster Sings What The World Needs Now (Is Love)” social media campaign, in the category of Social Media. This video, which featured nearly 50 residents and team members representing our 22 communities, is a heart-warming antidote to the hardest days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The video is still available on Westminster’s YouTube channel for viewers to enjoy — go to https://youtu.be/8FhSpfMu_QI.

In addition, Westminster Communities of Florida was recognized with awards for: 

• The rebrand of the Westminster Communities Foundation, which received a Bronze Award in the category of Marketing and Advertising Campaigns. This campaign of brochures, flyers, personalized donor cultivation materials, recognition gifts and more has contributed to the successful launch of a major new campaign focused on donor recruitment for our charitable foundation. We congratulate the Westminster Communities Foundation team.

• A campaign offering advice to our team members who graduated high school and college, “Seniors 2 Seniors,” was recognized with a Bronze Award in the category of Social Media. We asked residents what advice they might give, and then captured them offering it and shared it on social media, as well as our internal CCTV systems. Enjoy the video and get their advice on Westminster’s YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/d4fzkMIP8Io
  
• To help provide the most up-to-date information on the COVID-19 pandemic to our residents and their family members, we created a special “Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources” online guide. These web pages contained a variety of information about how residents and their families could stay safe, support each other and our communities, and even a fun kids’ activity pack for summer, when camps and day cares were closed. The COVID-19 guide was recognized with a Bronze Award in the category of Web-based Resource/Tool. These resources are still available and up-to-date at https://westminstercommunitiesfl.org/coronavirus-news-and-resources

• Our “Thank You Team Members” campaign, celebrating our team members for their heroic work of caring for vulnerable residents during the COVID-19 pandemic, received a Merit Award in the category of Marketing and Advertising Campaigns. It consisted of a campaign of signs, banners, recognition gifts, online graphics, social media posts and more. We congratulate our Human Resources and Creative teams for their work on the campaign.

Those involved with the art direction, design and copywriting for the campaigns were Nicole Muller, Vice President of Sales and Marketing; Wes Meltzer, Director of Marketing and Communications; Katherine Peters, Director of Sales, Chris Ware, Creative Services Coordinator; Natalie Rooney, Creative Design Specialist; and Sydney March, Social Media Specialist.

“We were delighted and honored to have been selected for these awards,” Meltzer said. “Our Creative Team does amazing work. The recognition of the Mature Media Awards just confirms it for us. Westminster Communities of Florida was pleased to take part in the 30th anniversary of the Mature Media Awards program, and very happy with the results.”

The entries were judged by a distinguished panel of mature market experts from across the United States for overall excellence of design, content, creativity and relevance to the senior market.

About Westminster Communities of Florida: Westminster Communities of Florida serves more than 7,000 residents in 22 communities throughout Florida who are in search of an enlightened, fully integrated, person-centered approach to health and wellness. Since 1954, we’ve been Florida’s best choice in active senior living. Find out more about how you can Live Well. Be Happy. at a Westminster community – visit our Web site at www.WestminsterCommunitiesFL.org or call 407-839-5050.

While getting older, residents of assisted living facilities in St. Petersburg should take some extra time to care for their oral health. Poor oral health can have consequences – such as dealing with tooth loss, gum conditions, root decay, and dry mouth. So, how can you best avoid these problems – and have the healthiest teeth possible? Read on for a few top oral health tips for seniors.

Floss and Brush Daily

Probably, you have heard about the importance of flossing and brushing since childhood. Regular brushing and flossing are the perfect ways to enhance and maintain oral health. Dentists recommend that a person should brush twice daily. As you age, you can benefit from more fluoride; therefore, select a toothpaste containing high mineral levels. You should also remember to also floss once per day. If you or a loved one faces challenges due to conditions such as arthritis while brushing, try a flossing tool or water pick. Staff at your assisted living facility can also help you combat any of these challenges!

Use a Good Toothbrush

A toothbrush with soft bristles and a small head that can reach the back of the mouth is perfect for brushing. Find products accredited by reputable dental associations. However, conditions like arthritis may make it hard to brush. In that case, you should consider purchasing a battery-operated toothbrush to have a perfect daily cleaning. Change your toothbrush after every three months or any time bristles begin to fray. 

Avoid Tobacco Products

To maintain good oral health, you should avoid chewing tobacco and smoking cigarettes. Besides lung cancer, smoking can also lead to mouth and throat cancer. In addition, tobacco can also cause tooth decay and gum diseases. You can consult a doctor about developing a treatment plan to help with quitting smoking. 

Apply Antibacterial Mouthwash

Bacteria and germs in the mouth may lead to plaque build-up, gum conditions, and eventually tooth loss. Seniors should use a mouthwash that has antibacterial properties to facilitate the prevention of gum conditions. Remember to use mouthwash daily. This can help to eliminate mouth bacteria. If a senior wears dentures, they may be more exposed to bacterial build-ups.

For regular, expert assistance with your oral health and other parts of your healthy, active lifestyle, turn to Westminster Palms! Our St. Petersburg assisted living facility gives you the freedom and fun to enjoy active senior living. Contact us today to discover how living at Westminster Palms can benefit you!

You can never be too prepared when it comes to emergencies. Administrators at your assisted living facility must include severe weather safety as part of their emergency preparations and incorporate it into their plans. However, when it comes to hurricanes and other storms you might face while living in Florida, it pays to be calm and prepared! Read on to learn several ways to stay smart and safe in St. Petersburg assisted living during severe weather.

Have A Strategy

Just like any emergency situation, planning is essential to staying prepared. Create a strategy for any situation that might arise – and check with your assisted living facility to know their plans and procedures. Do they have partnerships in place with other assisted living facilities and businesses in the area? Are you aware of any particular evacuation, emergency, or shelter-in-place plans for your area?

Buy Emergency Supplies

In the event of a crisis, your assisted living institution should have medication, water, and food on hand to fulfill your basic needs. However, be sure to plan ahead with any additional supplies you may need! This might mean batteries, a flashlight, waterproof storage for any important items, and even some entertainment, like books or puzzles while you wait for the storm to pass.

Educate Yourself About Disaster Preparation

Even when facing inclement conditions, it’s important to keep your composure! If severe weather strikes, don’t fear – your skilled assisted living facility team is trained to solve any problems that might arise during a hurricane. Learning what to expect can make the situation a little less scary. For example, know the terminology. A “hurricane watch” refers to the possibility of hurricane conditions in an area. A “hurricane warning” means that hurricane conditions are actually expected in the area.

Execute Your Practice Plan 

Even if you’re not as familiar with the process, severe weather safety, such as fire drills, preparation for tornadoes, hurricanes, and more, can be learned with practice at your independent living St. Petersburg facility. If you’re not sure about what to expect, talk to a member of your assisted living facility team to learn what you can prepare to do!

Don’t fear the potential of hurricane conditions in your St. Petersburg assisted living facility. Instead, get prepared! Once you know the routine, it will be simple to weather the storm in your well-prepared facility at Westminster Palms. For more information about planning your move and St. Petersburg lifestyle, explore our website or get in touch today!

Even with all the ease of living, amenities, and services provided by assisted living in Saint Petersburg, these facilities still encourage the important need for residents to stay in contact with loved ones! So, how can you plan to keep family and friends as a top priority while adjusting yourself or a loved one to a new lifestyle? Keep reading to learn just how easy it is to stay connected.

Social Media Communication

Facebook is great for keeping in contact through messages and status updates. Your family and friends can always know what’s going on while staying informed on the progress a loved one is making with settling into assisted living or memory care services. Twitter is a great way for senior citizens to keep in touch with family, sharing updates with a simple interface. In short, social media communication keeps everyone aware and knowledgeable, without the time delay that comes with writing letters.

Video Calling

Sometimes social media by itself isn’t enough for friends and family to stay connected. Fortunately, video calling applications and software can allow loved ones to connect with assisted living facilities in St Petersburg, Florida, in real time – from anywhere in the world. This can also be a key way to help residents speak to doctors about their care.

Creating Traditions in Assisted Living

The good part about assisted living is the services that allow residents and loved ones to stay connected. While community events and health services are important, assisted living is a lot more enjoyable when people bond under a common theme. For example, a cup of coffee every Friday with a relative becomes a routine over time. Likewise, a walk around the facility with a pastor becomes an activity worth embracing. Active communication, on the same date or time of day, is one of the best ways for residents to stay connected.

Learn More About Assisted Living in Saint Petersburg FL

There shouldn’t be any reason for assisted living residents to go without talking to family. With social media free and easily accessible and video calling simple and convenient, sometimes the only thing keeping family apart is lacking routine or a common and accessible tradition that brings them close. In the end, they key to a great experience with assisted living in Saint Petersburg, Florida, involves keeping in touch with the people who matter the most. To start planning your Saint Petersburg lifestyle at Westminster Palms, contact us today!

At Westminster Palms, we understand better than anyone that home is where the heart is. Living spaces are often an extension of our personality and they can have tangible effects on our overall mood and health. Over the past year, many of us have spent significantly more time indoors for safety reasons and our homes may be long overdue for a rehaul. Fortunately, it doesn’t need to take much time or money to freshen up your space! Continue reading to find our tips and tricks to breathe new life into your space.

Rearrange Your Furniture

It does not cost a single dime to rearrange your furniture, but the benefits it can have on your home atmosphere can be priceless. With just a little creativity and elbow grease, moving your furniture can be a quick and easy fix. Start by shifting items around or pulling from the less used areas of your home to breathe more life into new spaces. Be sure to only take on the items you can move comfortably – home redesign is not worth any injury!

Take Advantage of Crafts

If you have any prior experience with crafting at home, or if you have spent some time during this past year learning new tricks of the trade, a home refresh is the perfect opportunity to apply those talents! Woven knit tapestries, punch needle art, and more are all beautiful ways to inject even more of your personality into your space. If you lack experience crafting, use your redesign as motivation to practice something new!

Use Paint Creatively

Paint and painting accessories are relatively cheap to acquire. With a little time and creative effort, you can create your own hand-made paintings to hang on the walls of your home. Your walls will be grateful for a fresh face and your living space will be even more “you!” Start with smaller paintings using something sentimental as motivation before moving on to larger projects, if you so desire.

Shop Small

To find new additions to your home, shop secondhand and peruse the offerings at options like Goodwill or The Salvation Army. You can find a large selection of home goods – from statement centerpieces to classic home appliances – in these stores at a great value. Plus, consider bringing any of your own items that you have just sitting around and donate them to a good cause! For safer shopping options, browse through online vintage dealers such as Etsy to find more home décor.

Make a Statement with Your Couch

It is not always a feasible option to replace your couch, as it is often the largest and most expensive piece of furniture in a home. Instead, update your couch with some new accessories to really let it shine as the focal piece of your living room! Well-placed couch cushions and a nice throw can completely change the aesthetic of your couch at a cheap price.

Not only should your independent living space be an extension of you, but your community should accommodate you with luxurious amenities and spacious residences too. Whatever you love, it is within reach at Westminster Palms! Arts, culture, dining, natural beauty, stunning views – we’re in the heart of it all. Enjoy the freedom to do what makes you happy right here in our independent living facilities in St. Petersburg, FL.

The search for a senior living community can leave older adults and their families confused about what they really want and need. Distinguishing between assisted and independent living is crucial, as this is what will determine the lifestyle and health of your loved one once they join their community. Independent living focuses on social activities and a maintenance-free lifestyle, making it an ideal choice for active seniors, whereas assisted living has a much more involved hand in the daily activities of seniors, such as bathing or medication management. For more information, please continue reading our overview to understand how these two communities are designed to meet different needs.

What is Assisted Living?

While still offering independence for seniors, assisted living communities combine independence with support when and where it is needed. For those in need, help is offered with activities of daily living, or ADLs. Additionally, assisted living facilities provide social engagement opportunities so that older adults can still live their best quality of life while maintaining a sense of community with others.

Assisted living communities are not nursing homes, and people often confuse these two types of senior living. Residents of nursing homes usually have complex medical needs that demand daily attention from nurses and other medical professionals. Older adults in assisted living communities need assistance but to a lesser degree, which is why at Westminster Palms, we provide personal care assistance (such as grooming and dressing), toileting help, monitoring for health conditions, and opportunities to participate in wellness programs.

What is Independent Living?

Conversely, independent living communities are designed with active seniors in mind. Residents can enjoy freedom from burdens such as home ownership because its staff handles all household tasks and maintenance duties. With more free time, residents can pursue the activities that they find enjoyable.

Without the usual worries and stress of adult life, residents are free to participate in life-enrichment activities, take continuing education classes, volunteer for a favorite charitable organization, and engage in wellness programs – many of which are offered on-site at the community! Further, residents of independent living facilities are able to enjoy chances to participate in outings to local attractions like theaters and art museums, a variety of social activities ranging from art classes to gardening, and availability of on-campus wellness activities such as aerobics, chair yoga, and walking.

At Westminster Palms in historic old northeast St. Petersburg, we are more than happy to provide you with all the information you may need to help decide if your loved one would be better suited to assisted or independent living. Just a few blocks north of downtown St. Petersburg, our communities offer active senior living in the heart of the city without compromise: spacious residences, gorgeous bayfront vistas, and an active lifestyle enriched by our exclusive My W Life well-being program. Contact us today online or by calling (877) 399-0340 to better understand how living at Westminster Palms can enhance the lifestyle of your loved one!