Maranatha Village: Senior Living in Springfield Missouri

Senior Living & Five Reasons Springfield, Missouri, Is a Great Place to Retire

Posted on April 29, 2022April 15, 2022 by Maranatha Village

Where to retire is an important topic for seniors. Retirement is a time of relaxation, fun, and new experiences, so choosing a place that has great amenities nearby is a must. U.S. News ranks Springfield #82 in the best places to retire in the U.S.

Maranatha Village, located in Springfield, MO, explains why Springfield is a great place to retire.

Low Cost of Living

Housing costs in Springfield are way below the national average, making it a great place for those who are retired or on a fixed income. With housing prices skyrocketing over the last few years, it is difficult to find an average-sized home without spending an outrageous amount. For those who are no longer working, a large monthly mortgage payment is out of the question.

If you are looking to buy a reasonably priced home in an area with below-average costs for groceries, healthcare, and gas, then Springfield, Missouri, is a great place to look.

Parks & Waterways

Springfield has numerous lovely parks and trails for walking, as well as Lake Springfield and the James River.

Some of the popular parks include:

Sequiota Park

A lovely scenic park with a walking area, plenty of ducks and geese, a cave, and a few recreation areas for kids.

Nathanael Greene & Close Memorial Park

Nathanael Greene is popular for its long walking trails among 20+ botanical gardens. The landscape is well kept and offers beautiful flowers and plants, as well as a native butterfly house. There are several recreational play areas and spaces for barbecueing and picnicking.

Phelps Grove Park

This park has a picnic area, playground, and tennis courts in central Springfield just south of Missouri State University.

Lake Springfield Park

This park sits right on Lake Springfield and has water access, as well as beautiful paved or wooded walking trails, picnic areas, and a playground.

Healthcare & Hospitals

With two major hospitals located in the city, Springfield has excelent healthcare services and access to doctors and specialists. Mercy Hospital and Cox Health are both located in the city, as well as multiple health clinics, dentists, VA clinics, and numerous specialists services.

For those seniors with health issues, or those who regularly see a doctor, being so close to a variety of clinics is extremely beneficial.

Multiple Churches

Springfield, Missouri, is right in the middle of the “Bible Belt” and is actually the home to the headquarters of the Assemblies of God churches.

With hundreds of churches located in the city, you are sure to find a church home and church family that you love.

Nearby Attractions & Restaurants

Springfield is home to many great restaurants, stores, the large Battlefield Mall, bowling alleys, and movie theaters. There is also the Dickerson Park Zoo as well as the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds.

It is also a short drive from Branson, Missouri, where you can spend a day at the outlet mall, visit Silver Dollar City, or view one of Branson’s many live country music shows.

Inquire about Independent Living at Maranatha Village

Maranatha Village offers top-notch independent and assisted living in Springfield, Missouri. To learn more about our community give us a call at 417-833-0016 or contact us today.

What’s the Difference Between Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Nursing Homes?

Posted on April 15, 2022April 15, 2022 by Maranatha Village

When you or a loved one are faced with the idea of assisted living, it can be a little overwhelming at first. There are a lot of options, and it may be frustrating to find the one that best meets your needs. For example, do you need independent living, assisted living, or a nursing home?

Maranatha Village wants to make the process easier by explaining the differences among these three types of assisted living options.

Independent Living

Independent living is best for those seniors who want to continue to maintain their own lifestyle and do not necessarily need any assistance but want to live in a senior community. Many independent living facilities offer houses, duplexes, and apartments where seniors can live independently but are still surrounded by a community of other seniors.

Those who choose independent living often want to continue on with life as usual, but enjoy doing it surrounded by others in the same stages of life.

Assisted Living

Assisted living is ideal for those seniors who likely have medical needs and don’t feel comfortable trying to live 100% independently. An assisted living facility usually has rooms or apartments and also has 24/7 healthcare professionals available to assist with medication, medical needs, shots, or checkups.

Most assisted living seniors still enjoy a lot of independence, but just with the safety net of having healthcare assistance readily available.

Nursing Home

A nursing home, sometimes referred to as long-term care, is for those seniors who need constant medical care. These residences are in more of a clinical setting where healthcare workers can provide immediate care, as well as assist with other aspects of daily living.

Most seniors who need this type of care are not able to live at home and need constant access to medical professionals.

Maranatha Village Offers Many Options for Seniors

At Maranatha Village, we offer many different services including independent living, assisted living, and long-term care. Our seniors enjoy a positive, Christ-centered community, an on-campus chapel, and wonderful fellowship with fellow residents.

Maranatha Village in Springfield, MOIf you or a loved one is looking for quality independent living, assisted living, or long-term care, give our experts a call at 417-883-0016 or reach out to us today.

Senior Living in Springfield, MO: 4 Signs Maranatha Village is The Perfect Fit

Posted on February 26, 2022February 14, 2022 by Maranatha Village

So, you want to find the perfect senior living facility for yourself or a loved one in Springfield, Missouri. But what are some of the signs of a great retirement community, be it for someone looking for assisted care or independent living?

In today’s blog post, Maranatha Village explains the four signs that our senior living community is the perfect fit.

Proximity and Location

Maranatha Village is conveniently located near anything you might need.

Shopping centers
Grocery stores
Tranquil nature
Cox and Mercy Hospital

A convenient location, especially near great hospitals, adds a sense of security and ease to retirement life.

Not only can you be close to what you need, you can choose from any number of our luxurious layouts for duplexes or homes, all with the right size, features and amenities to suit your taste and lifestyle choices.

Personalized Care

It isn’t always just the activities and beautiful scenery that make a senior living community special, but the quality of assisted care. At Maranatha Village, we offer highly personalized care for our residents to meet their specific health needs.

Our compassionate, caring and professional staff of trained medical professionals will see to it that you or your loved one are taken care of and maintain a quality of life.

If you’re in need of a short-term stay, our short-term rehabilitation services include professional physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy treatments.

Spiritual Community

Finding a sense of community is critical to having an excellent experience in a retirement community. We make it a priority to give our residents a feeling of belonging, purpose and dignity in aging.

As a faith-based organization, our retirement community centers itself around Christian values and ethics, giving residents ample opportunities to volunteer, learn and engage with others in the Christian faith.

A schedule of our services can be found here:

Sunday AM: Simultaneous services-Chapel and Assisted Living,
Sunday and Wednesday PM Chapel service,
Tuesday Bible Study: Community Center,
Wednesday Bible Study: Long-Term-Care,
Thursday Men’s Bible Study: Community Center,
Friday Intercessory Prayer: Community Center.

Fun Amenities & Senior Activities

Part of what makes us a strong and vibrant senior living community are the activities we offer our residents, from fun community volunteering events to choir and music practices and much more.

Maranatha Village focuses on keeping the mind and body active. We know that staying fit while aging is critical. That’s why we have a clean and well-run gym facility on our premises, along with an activities room with a pool table, ping pong table and more.

Find the “Perfect Fit” Retirement at Maranatha Village

Maranatha Village is a top-rated senior and assisted-living community in Springfield, MO., that also offers short-term care and rehabilitation services. We have a wide-selection of home options to enjoy your retirement. For more information about Maranatha Village, contact us today!

Assisted Living in Springfield, MO: Frequently Asked Questions

Posted on February 14, 2022 by Maranatha Village

What is Assisted Living?

Assisted living offers personalized care for senior residents. Age-related health conditions like disability, loss of balance, and chronic illnesses make it difficult for seniors to care for themselves. Senior living communities provide support for elders that require a higher level of care while maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle.

Maranatha Village is a spiritual community that provides peace and comfort for our senior residents. We offer the value of a fulfilling life while minimizing age-based health concerns. Read on to learn more about our amenities and the benefits of assisted living.

What’s the Difference Between a Nursing Home and Assisted Living?

Nursing home seniors receive medical care in a clinical setting from trained staff. Nursing home services vary from specialized treatment or extended care unavailable in assisted living. Enjoy the comfort of senior living communities and in-home supportive care services.

Assisted living supports seniors with needs like bathing, prescriptions, and movement for an independent lifestyle. Maranatha Village focuses on delivering supportive care to maximize the quality of life for our residents.

How Much Does Assisted Living Cost?

The cost of assisted living varies depending on location, amenities offered, and level of care. Depending on your senior relative’s needs, assisted living provides affordable alternatives to a nursing home. Determine whether your insurance provider offers administered living relief.

Various providers may cover the cost of assisted living based on eligibility requirements. If you plan to pay out-of-pocket, look into Maratha Village and our affordable package rates. We offer independent living, short-term rehabilitation, and assisted living care services.

Who is Right for Assisted Living?

Assisted living facilities are ideal for elderly patients who can no longer live independently but do not require the level of care needed for nursing homes. Senior living communities are viable options for residents with difficulties caring for themselves or living independently.

Common age-related conditions that may require assisted living are memory loss, arthritis, falling frequently, and more. At Maranatha Village, we offer compassionate care for our residents. We provide the following services and amenities for our residents:

On-campus activities
Worship Services
Gyms and fitness classes
Gaming activities and social clubs
Prescription administration
Personal care (dressing, bathing, laundry)
24/7 emergency care
Housekeeping

Choose Maranatha Village as Your New Home

We love making sure our residents feel happy, comfortable, and fulfilled all year long. For more information about our assisted living, independent living, or rehabilitation services, contact us today by calling 417-833-0016 or emailing us.

Nutrition for Seniors: Tips for a Healthy Body and Mind

Posted on January 28, 2022January 11, 2022 by Maranatha Village

When it comes to nutrition for seniors, eating healthy is worth the effort. Nutritionally dense foods have been shown to help keep older adults looking and feeling younger as they age. Maranatha Village has some nutrition tips to keep you looking and feeling healthy so that you can better retain a high quality of life.

Drink More Liquids

Drinking eight cups a day is what doctors normally recommend. But we often come up short, far shorter than what is recommended. Drinking water and fruit juice throughout the day is great for maintaining nutrition for seniors, curbing hunger, and preventing excessive snacking.

Don’t Cut Fat — Eat Healthy Fat

Eating foods with healthy fats like Omega-3 and Omega-6, are part of a well-balanced and nutritious diet for the elderly. Really, you should actively avoid 2 fats: saturated and trans fat. Healthy fats can be found in:

Avocados
Olive oil
Fatty fish
Flax seeds

Eat Fiber-Rich Foods

Aging often comes with irregularity and slower digestion. Eating foods rich in fiber helps to lower cholesterol, improve heart health and keep you regular. Senior women should have 31 grams per day; senior men should aim to eat 51 grams.

Get More Calcium

Calcium builds stronger bones, which weaken and become prone to osteoporosis with age. There are plenty of foods to choose from that contain calcium:

Milk
Yogurt
Cheese
Broccoli
Almonds
Kale

Nutrition for Seniors: Age-Related Changes that Can Affect Diet

Life changes like moving into assisted living, living alone or encountering new stress can lead to bodily changes that impact your diet, requiring nutritional adjustments.

Slower metabolism comes with age and can make it harder to process fats.
Medications or illnesses interfere with a well-rounded nutritious diet.
Weakened senses can involve losing taste-bud sensitivity for salts, thus over-salting foods.
Slow digestion makes it harder to digest vitamins and minerals like B1, B12, B2 and folates.

Make Your Food Budget Go Further

Look at the food labels when you go shopping and check the cost when you’re at the store. Find out what’s on your food label and see whether or not they contain the right vitamins and minerals to support a nutritious diet. You can also seek to learn more about what foods and activities promote a healthy heart.

Add Nutritional Variety

When cooking your own meals, or ordering a meal, make sure you get a variety of textures and colors. Some of the best options for eating a varied nutritional diet include:

Fruits and vegetables
Whole grains and whole wheat
Nuts, beans, legumes and seeds
Lean meat, chicken, eggs and seafood
Non-fat or low-fat almond, soy or regular milk

Incorporate Supplemental Vitamins

Nobody can get all of their vitamins and minerals from their food alone. That’s where supplements come in. Take some vegetable or fruit supplements to help balance your nutritional needs.

Find a Well-Rounded Lifestyle at Maranatha Village

Maranatha Village is a top-rated senior and assisted-living community in Springfield, MO., that also offers premier rehabilitation services. We have versatile housing options, including houses, apartments, and duplexes. For more information about Maranatha Village, contact us today!

How to Beat Seasonal Depression: Tips for Seniors in Assisted Living

Posted on January 14, 2022January 11, 2022 by Maranatha Village

Cold, icy weather, along with longer nights and shorter days, can depress just about anyone. But for many seniors in assisted living homes, seasonal depression might make their mood plummet. However, seasonal depression can be overcome!

In today’s post, Maranatha Village gives some great tips on how to help elderly residents beat Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and stay positive, hopeful and inspired during the winter blues.

Get Moving, Get Active

Exercise releases endorphins, the “happy chemical” for the brain that lifts moods. Regular movement and bodily activity are important regardless of one’s age. But as people get older, it becomes more difficult.

It can be hard to find good exercise routines for residents who have limited mobility. But it’s still doable.

One of our trained faculty members at Maranatha Village can aid you in creating a personalized exercise routine that takes into account any bodily limitations you may have. Small lifestyle changes also aid in promoting regular activity.

Be sure to eliminate sugary foods, sweets or sodas from your diet. Instead, eat a diet with more lean proteins, fruits and vegetables. You’ll have more energy for exercise and a better mood.

Eat Healthy Food Options

Cut out excessive sugary foods and sweets. Instead, start eating a more balanced diet of fruits and vegetables. Your body and mind will thank you. Eliminate or limit how much alcohol you drink — which is a depressant, mind you — down to just one or two glasses a week.

Get More Sunlight

Open the blinds and let more sunlight in through the window. Winter is a time for less sunlight, and thus a vitamin D deficiency. This impairs positive emotion. Taking a supplement may also help, but spending more time in sunlight is a good substitute.

Seek Professional Help

Knowing the signs of seasonal depression is half the battle. Talking to a doctor about how you feel helps you win it.

They can recommend lifestyle changes, medications or therapy to help overcome feelings of depression. Sometimes just speaking with somebody who will listen is just what you need.

Socialize and Connect

Spend more time with family and friends. If that’s not an option, get involved in community activities at Maranatha Village. Humans are social creatures that need connection with others. Feelings of isolation contribute to seasonal depression.

Knowing that fact, we seek to give our residents an active, engaging lifestyle and a strong sense of community by offering plenty of activities and events for seniors.

Reminisce Over Family Memories

Get out the scrapbook and family photo album or videos. Reminisce with someone over fond memories of family or friends. This will help to spark hopeful, happy thoughts and emotions.

Volunteer or Serve Others

Even in assisted living situations, there are plenty of ways to be of service to other people. You can knit, help with cleaning, collaborate on small creative projects or spend time actively listening to someone. Helping other people and practicing gratitude helps lift the spirit.

Make Maranatha Village Your New Home

We love making sure our residents feel happy, comfortable and fulfilled all year long. For more information about our assisted and independent living services, or our rehabilitation services, contact us today. Call 417-833-0016 or email us.

Maranatha Village Retirement Community: 5 Unique Hobbies for Retired Seniors

Posted on December 29, 2021December 15, 2021 by Maranatha Village

Ah, retirement! The perfect time for seniors to pursue new passions and hobbies! Should we bring out the 1,000+ piece puzzles, crochet needles, and BINGO cards? No!

At Maranatha Village, our retirement community in Springfield MO, our residents are interested in all types of interesting hobbies. From motorcycle riding to musicianship, our residents go beyond tired cliches.

In this blog post, we’d like to share 5 unique hobbies for seniors in retirement communities, so seniors can make their golden years exciting and fun.

1. Geocaching

Geocaching is like a modern-day treasure hunt. Participants use the Geocaching app and a GPS system to locate small hidden items in trees, caves, and even in urban settings. Geocaches are usually small, sealed containers of trinkets or mementos, and sometimes contain a “guest-book” to sign. Most geocaches are looked at, and then replaced, but sometimes your instructions say “take something, leave something.”

Geocaching involves exercise and a bit of curiosity and mystery. Seniors could also hide geocaches around their retirement community, and get other residents involved in the hunt.

2. Learning a New Language

It’s never too late to learn a different language, and retirement finally allows seniors the time to do it! There are plenty of resources to help people learn a second language, and there are tutors who can help.

Learning a new language could even be a group or partner activity, as residents can practice their new language by conversing with each other.

3. Learning a Musical Instrument

Residents in the Maranatha retirement community are very musically inclined! They sing in our choir and play instruments at our worship services. Retirement is the perfect time to learn something new, and the challenges of learning to read and play music keep your brain active and sharp.

4. Improv or Acting Classes

The benefits of improv theatre go beyond just acting. A recent study of people aged 55+ engaged in improv theatre showed that participants experienced “increased positivity, an increased sense of comfort and ease with the unexpected, a sense of self-development and self-awareness, and a feeling of acceptance by their social group.

5. Gaming

That’s right–Fortnite isn’t just for kids and teens! Seniors love to play video games too, and the problem-solving and hand-eye coordination involved can keep their brains healthy and active. A recent survey done by AARP found that the number of adults over 50 who play video games has increased from 40.2 million in 2016 to 50.6 million in 2019.

Retirement Community at Maranatha Village

Spend your golden years with us! Maranatha Village is a top-rated senior and assisted-living community in Springfield, MO. We have versatile housing options, including houses, apartments, and duplexes. For more information about Maranatha Village, contact us today!

5 Spiritual Book Club Ideas for Senior Living Communities

Posted on December 15, 2021December 15, 2021 by Maranatha Village

While senior living communities here in Springfield, MO are experiencing colder temperatures and shorter daylight hours, residents can fight the winter blues by connecting with each other indoors.

Here at Maranatha Village, reading is one of our most popular indoor activities. We have a beautiful library packed with interesting books, and residents love to curl up in their home or apartment with a good book.

But isolation, especially during the darker winter months, can be risky for seniors. So why not combine the comfort of reading a book with the joy of connecting with others in person? Book clubs can help our residents do just that.

In this blog post, we’ll share 5 spiritual-themed books for book clubs in senior living communities.

To Heaven and Back by Mary Neal

On a river in Chile in 1999, Dr. Mary Neal, an orthopedic surgeon was in a kayak accident and drowned. During her drowning, Mary experienced her spirit leaving her body, and ascending to Heaven. While in heaven, she spoke with angels and experienced the love of God. Miraculously, Mary survived and has used her story to inspire others to have faith in God and deepen their relationship with Jesus.

Find the Good by Heather Lende

An obituary writer in a small town in Alaska, Heather Lende learned through her work to “find the good” in all people, and in tragedy. She believes we can find positive effects from any event if we take the time to notice. Heather shares her habit for positivity through heart-warming stories throughout the book. Residents in senior-living communities can discuss the stories in the book while sharing their own stories about the good that has come from their negative life events.

The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom

The hiding place is a memoir by Corrie Ten Boom, a Dutch Christian woman who helped hide Jews in Nazi Germany. She was caught and sent to a Nazi death camp, where she survived and was released due to a clerical error. Boom tells the story of how the events in her life unfolded, and how she connected with God’s powerful love for the strength to endure suffering and fulfill her mission.

The Case For Christ by Lee Strobel

Lee Strobel was a journalist and a staunch atheist–until his wife had a life-changing event and became a Christian. Strobel then set off to prove her beliefs wrong, by researching the history and evidence for the existence and divinity of Jesus. To his surprise, he found the evidence compelling and converted to Christianity himself. He shares his story and research in this book. The book was also made into a film–so book club members can enjoy reading and discussing the book, and then enjoy the movie together.

Strength to Love by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Strength to Love is a collection of writings by Dr. King during his civil-rights work. Some of the stories were written while he was in jail, and they all describe his personal philosophy of nonviolence and social justice. Dr. King was a devout Christian, and his work is a story of true discipleship in action.

Senior Living Communities in Springfield: Maranatha Village

Maranatha Village is a top-rated senior living community in Springfield, MO. We have versatile housing options, including houses, apartments, and duplexes. For more information about Maranatha Village, contact us today!

Cozy Fall Reading: 5 Fascinating Nonfiction Books for Seniors in Assisted Living Communities

Posted on November 30, 2021November 16, 2021 by Maranatha Village

Fall is here–the leaves are bright, the air is crisp, and now is the perfect time to snuggle up with a fascinating book!

The residents in our assisted living community at Maranatha Village are still active and love social activities–but they also love to rest and relax in their beautiful apartment, home or duplex and get some reading in.

It’s never too late to learn something new–and reading nonfiction books helps keep our assisted living residents enlightened and entertained during cold weather months.

In this blog post, we’ll share five fascinating nonfiction books for seniors in assisted living facilities.

Rhythms of Renewal By Rebekah Lyons

While you might be retired, that doesn’t mean your life is without stress. Living in assisted living communities can have difficulties if you are coping with health issues or other significant life changes.

In her book, Rhythms of Renewal: Trading Stress and Anxiety for Peace and Purpose, Christian Author Rebekah Lyons shares her story of overcoming anxiety and depression through what she calls the “4 Life-Giving Rhythms”: rest, restore, connect and create.

Disrupt Aging: A Bold New Path to Living Your Best Life at Every Stage By Joann Jenkins

Aging doesn’t have to mean a decline in health and wellbeing. This best-selling book by the CEO of AARP, Joann Jenkins, discusses critical issues facing seniors today, including caregiving, mindful living, building age-friendly communities, and making your money last.

You Learn By Living: Eleven Keys for a More Fulfilling Life By Elenor Roosevelt

Former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt is one of the most admired and celebrated public figures in American culture. This book contains her wise advice about how to live a fulfilling life. Her personal stories and life lessons are captivating and inspiring, from cultivating courage and embracing challenges to taking ownership of your community.

Band of Brothers By Stephen E Ambrose

This New York Times bestseller turned HBO mini-series is about a group of citizen-soldiers in World War II, chronicling their training and front-line fighting in Normandy on D-Day. Great reading for veterans; this book is about soldiers who learned courage and selflessness through the perils of war. After finishing the book, you can settle in with the HBO mini-series produced by Tom Hanks and Steven Speilberg.

Rules for Aging: A Wry and Witty Guide to Life by Roger Rosenblatt

Another fun book about the joys of aging, this poetry book by prize-winning essayist Roger Rosenblatt will leave you feeling both enlightened and entertained. Known for his witty humor, Rosenblatt offers 54 pieces of advice about life and aging in poems. This book is perfect for seniors in assisted living communities to read and share with other residents.

Assisted Living Community at Maranatha Village

Maranatha Village is a top-rated assisted-living community in Springfield, MO. We have versatile housing options, including houses, apartments, and duplexes. For more information about Maranatha Village, contact us today!

5 Decor Ideas to Make a Senior Living Apartment Feel Like Home

Posted on November 16, 2021 by Maranatha Village

Moving from a long-term house into a senior living apartment can be a massive transition for seniors. A completely new environment can make them feel a sense of distance or loneliness from the home they’ve become used to over the years.

But there’s one way to help ease the transition and help seniors feel more welcome and comfortable in their apartment: thoughtful decorating.

Maranatha Village shares a few decor ideas for making a senior living apartment feel like home in this blog.

Framed Family Photos

Reasons for moving into a senior living apartment may include the loss of a spouse or a decline in physical ability. Both of these life events can make a senior feel separated and distant from family and the way their life used to be.

Choosing meaningful family photos and framing them for display in a senior apartment is a great way to feel more connected to loved ones and make the new home feel more familiar and comforting.

Personalized Art

Just because an older adult is retired doesn’t mean they lose their identity. Placing art and other personalized decor in a senior apartment can help seniors take ownership of their new space.

Seniors can display work by their favorite artist or even some of their own work if they have a talent for art.

Indoor Plants

Indoor plants add a splash of green to an apartment, especially if the apartment is painted in a plain or neutral color. As a bonus, plants also add oxygen to and naturally purify the air, increasing air quality.

In a 2009 study, house plants were found to increase the quality of life for residents in retirement communities, giving them a sense of purpose and something to care for.

Mirrors

It’s difficult for seniors to downsize to an apartment when they are used to a bigger house. Hanging a mirror in the living room or kitchen can help create the illusion of more space while adding a modern, stylish touch.

Lighting

Lighting is essential to any home decorating plan, especially for retired seniors who plan to spend a lot of time in their apartments.

It’s a great idea to install lamps in a senior apartment that feature multiple brightness settings. This way, when seniors are active during the day, they’ll be surrounded by bright light, and when they’re ready to wind down at night, they can switch to dimmer, softer light.