Finally, the warm weather has arrived! Time to hit the pool, and plan those golf outings, picnics, tennis dates, and all things outdoors.

Seasonal allergies are incredibly common and something that millions of people experience every year. If you find yourself coughing, sneezing, experiencing congestion, or other bothersome symptoms this time of year – you’re not alone.

Contrary to previously held beliefs, cognitive abilities don’t necessarily decline with age. Lifelong learning offers many benefits for senior well-being and can enhance your mental and intellectual wellness.

No matter the age, our bodies depend on water to survive. From our individual cells to our organs, every component of our body requires water to function properly.

As you continue to age, you may struggle to meal prep like you used to or have less motivation to stay active. This is where living in a senior living community can help. Between freshly prepared meals and regularly scheduled activities and events, senior living can help you age well in retirement.

People aged 65 and older are more likely to suffer from heart attacks, strokes, heart failure and heart disease due to the weakening of the heart muscle and blood vessels. However, you can minimize your risk of experiencing these conditions by keeping your heart healthy.

Now that it is officially 2021, everyone is more than ready for a fresh, healthy new year! This is the time to plan your goals or resolutions for the next 12 months and make any positive lifestyle changes you’ve been thinking about. This year (more than any other year previously), be sure to prioritize your health.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, Minnesota has the third highest fall mortality rate in the United States. This means that, as a Minnesota senior, you should take extra precaution by following these fall prevention tips

There are still ways you can celebrate the holiday season by abiding by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.

Clutter can weigh you down in more ways than one and leave you feeling trapped in your own home. Fortunately, decluttering can improve your mental and emotional wellbeing and put you in an easier spot to downsize in your golden years.

Science can’t definitively tell us just yet why the gut changes with age, but what we do know is these changes can lead to indigestion, ulcers and chronic diseases. Maintaining your gut health as you age can keep you on your feet, doing more of what you love for longer.

If you find yourself sneezing more frequently or feel a tickle in your throat, you may wonder if your symptoms are from allergies or something more sinister. No need to panic, though! Evaluating your symptoms can help you determine if you’re dealing with allergies, the seasonal flu or COVID-19.

Since knowing how to care for your emotional wellbeing isn’t as intuitive as your physical wellbeing, Knute Nelson is here to help with 5 key ways you can keep maintain your emotional health.

When you make exercise a regular part of your weekly routine, you can also help prevent yourself from physical and emotional problems and memory decline.

There are ways you can practice your faith daily no matter what is happening in your life, or where you are at in your faith journey.

In consultation with the Minnesota Department of Health and our medical advisors, we support this widespread testing to help identify and be proactive in our preparedness. Without conducting testing and identifying areas of concern, it is much more difficult to prepare to respond to an invisible virus.

We understand you may be concerned about the spread of COVID-19, especially with the amount of media coverage heightening everyone’s awareness on senior living providers. We want you to know that we are doing everything we can to ensure the safety of our residents and staff. This has always been our priority and will always continue to be our priority.

Letter to the Echo Press editor by Mark Anderson, President/CEO of Knute Nelson, Alexandria, MN

You’re probably wondering—what are Knute Nelson residents up to these days? The visitor restrictions to keep our residents and staff safe during COVID-19 are still in place and are proving effective. However, day-to-day life and activities look different for all of us!

It’s a sad fact. When our loved ones are most alone, we can’t visit them. Because it’s harder for them to fight off the virus, stopping by could put them in danger.

The health and safety of those we serve as well as our staff are our highest priority. Our greatest hope and desire is to uphold our commitment to serving others in meaningful ways that you’ve come to know, rely on and trust. This commitment hasn’t changed; however, in recent weeks, it looks a bit differently as we walk on this journey each day.

With all the opportunities for feeling out of place, it’s no wonder that a lot of people just stay away. Here are three reasons to consider a 45+ gym instead

You might have thought that hitting retirement would be like being on permanent vacation – you are done with work, might have life-long friends to spend time with, and can now finally focus only on what is most important in your life.

But life can be surprisingly stressful for older adults – and that stress can manifest in various unhealthy ways.

The Nelson Wellness Center at Grand Arbor has a warm water pool that is heated to a pleasant 88 degrees to 89 degrees, which makes for an enjoyable location for exercising and an ideal environment for relieving pain and stiffness.

Are you interested in learning more about the Nelson Wellness Center’s warm water pool and its benefits?

Summer is great for older adults looking to stay active, because there are so many fun things to do outside. Physical activity is good for people of all ages, but it is especially important as we age.

Maintaining good nutrition and a healthy diet is always important, but it is especially important for adults as they get older. Nutrition for aging adults is key for long-term health, but these needs evolve as people age.

Managing Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) can be challenging, complex, and frightening. Here is how you can also make the condition manageable.

Risk factors can be detected, and falls can often be prevented. It may be time to assess your surroundings and make a few conscious changes to ensure safety for yourself or a loved one. Here are 11 easy tips you can take to reduce your risk of falling at home and while you’re out:

It’s easy to forget about your feet when they feel good. But when they hurt, you’ll quickly realize the importance of keeping your feet healthy. If you want to walk, run, jump, dance, and enjoy just about any type of physical activity with ease, take these extra steps to care for your feet.

In honor of men’s health month, it is time to take a pulse on your health or encourage the men in your life to do so. One important way to promote health is to get the proper health screening tests. Here are 6 health screenings you may need to get scheduled.

Physical therapy and occupational therapy are both intended to help patients rehabilitate from an illness, injury or surgery. But what are the key differences between occupational and physical therapy?

When someone has a stroke, recovery can be greatly impacted by how quickly medical treatment is received. That’s why it’s important to know what the symptoms look like so you can act FAST when someone is having a stroke.

During difficult times, we often find ourselves turning to prayer for clarity, peace, and hope. By adding prayer to our everyday routines, we can discover a mosaic of life-enriching benefits of daily prayer.

Some years it can feel like as soon as you’re done stuffing the Thanksgiving turkey, the remainder of the year goes by in a stress-filled flash. With so much to do, it’s easy for the holidays to become a source of stress rather than a time of joy and celebration. So how can you reduce holiday stress?

Throughout the United States, an estimated seven million adults ages 65 and older suffer from depression. We’ve outlined the why behind depression in older adults while shining light on some of the common symptoms.

Whether you’re preparing for surgery, seeking post-surgical rehabilitation, or wanting to maintain a healthy lifestyle, the Nelson Wellness Center offers support for every goal. We’re eager to share the story of Kim Suter, a member who underwent two knee replacement surgeries.

If you feel the need for support to work through grief after the passing of a loved one, rest assured that you are not alone. Many individuals face challenges after the loss of a loved one without a place to turn. Grief groups are excellent resources for those who are struggling.