Meadowood Blog

How do you handle stress? I’m talking about both the garden variety—traffic, busy schedule, family problems, etc., and the big stressors. Life changes like the care, illness, or death of a loved one, medical problems, or money issues. Did you know that as we age, our bodies are less able to handle the wear and tear caused by stress? Our internal stress-hormone-reducing mechanisms gradually become less effective, so that means the older we get, the calmer we need to be. The body’s autonomic nervous system has two components that respond […]

Spirits soared at Flügel Fest, a wildly popular Oktoberfest-themed event for residents and team members held at Meadowood on September 14 and 15. But what’s a flügel, you may ask? You’re not alone. Many people at Meadowood asked that same question. Flügel actually means “wing” in German, which is quite appropriate, considering that Meadowood’s symbol is the goose, and the community also awards “wings” to team members for exceptional customer service. Plus, in the words of the flyer advertising this one-of-a-kind event, “flügel is fun to say!” How did the […]

As I was walking the dogs early the other morning, I believe I could almost see my breath. Of course, by mid-afternoon the temperature had climbed up close to 80 degrees, but the (very) brief cold snap got me thinking. While most people see autumn as the beginning of the end—to the summer, the year, the greenery—I have always seen it as a beginning. I suppose it is because it reminds me of the start of a new school year, which I always loved. New shoes, crisp notebooks, and freshly […]

It was surprising. It was thrilling. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. And it all started when residents Bill Bourne, Jim Shaw and Carson Stiles, all former World War II servicemen, were asked by the Meadowood team, “How would you like to take a flight in an open cockpit biplane over the skies of Bucks County?” Their reactions? Bill Bourne: “I was very surprised to be chosen.” Jim Shaw: “It looked like a lot of fun, so I said, ‘Heck, yeah, I’d like to do it.’” Carson Stiles: “I thought it […]

About a year ago, during the height of the pandemic, I introduced something called Wellness Wednesdays. I would give a short talk on our TV channel about some topic of health, such as how foods can affect medications or how to improve your sleep. One of the most popular talks was called, “Making Health Your Hobby.” You might ask, “How can good health be a hobby? Isn’t it just something you have, or you don’t have?” At the moment, yes. You either have good health, or you don’t. But if […]

Meadowood is one of the few retirement communities with its own horticulturist, and today she is sharing her insights into her multifaceted role. Patti Loughridge, Meadowood’s resident horticulturist, has been with the community for 16 ½ years, and has helped many garden projects across campus blossom and thrive in that time. Patti, who earned a degree in Landscape Design and a certificate in Horticultural Therapy from Temple University and formerly worked as a private estate gardener, talks about the many ways in which she beautifies Meadowood’s campus and nurtures new […]

I’m going to start with a disclaimer: The title of this blog entry is a lie. What I’m about to talk about isn’t new, and it isn’t a drug. But it can work wonders, which is why I hope you will read this post from start to finish. When you hear the word “mindfulness,” what do you think? It’s an overused buzzword? Some new age mumbo jumbo? Another marketing scheme put forth by big business to get you to spend your money? I’m here to tell you, it is none […]

My name is Erich Burkhard, and I am one of the youngest residents of Meadowood Senior Living, a community that is comprised of 437 residents and roughly 340 team members. My wife Sandy and I moved into this neighborly, stand-alone retirement community in Worcester, PA, on June 1, 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Why We Moved to Meadowood Sandy is a few years my senior, and did not want to move to ANY Life Plan Community (also known as a Continuing Care Retirement Community or CCRC). However, […]

Taking steps to ensure your wellness–whether physical, emotional, or mental–is important all year round. However, there are certain actions you can take that are particularly helpful in the warmer months. Check out these tips that can help you shine all summer long: Drink Five 8-oz. Glasses of Water Every Day.Water helps with digestion, food vitamin and mineral absorption, circulation, creation of saliva, transportation of nutrients, and maintenance of body temperature. Toss the Potato Salad.Don’t be a victim of the “cookout flu.” It takes roughly two hours for bacteria in foods […]