Do you find it hard to eat healthy due to hectic schedules or lack of inspiration? We all do! Let’s face it—life is unpredictable. As we move into week two of National Nutrition Month, let’s try to focus on planning our meals for the week! Tips for success include: Create and use a grocery list to shop for healthy meals Use good judgement when eating out or ordering takeout (hint: many restaurants include nutrition information and can provide it to you) Browse and select healthful recipes to make throughout the week Start the day off right with a nutritious breakfast Stock up on healthy sn ..read more

Happy March Everyone! March is National Nutrition Month and this year’s theme is “Personalize Your Plate.” There is no single approach to nutrition & health because we are unique and have different tastes, nutrition goals, background and bodies! During Week One, focus on eating a variety of nutritious foods each day. This includes: Filling up with healthy foods from ALL food groups Hydrating (which is just as important during the colder months as it is in the summer!) Learning to read and understand the Nutrition Fact Panels Avoiding distractions while eating Don’t rush through meals—ta ..read more

Have you ever noticed how snuggling and petting a dog, or giving a cat on your lap gentle strokes seems to create a sense of calm and wellbeing? As it turns out, there is a scientific reason behind these good vibe feelings.   According to an article in TIME magazine and a 2015 Harris poll, "95% of owners think of their animal as a member of the family. About half buy them birthday presents. And it’s a two-way street. People who have pets tend to have lower blood pressure, heart rate and heart-disease risk than those who don’t. Those health boons may come from the extra exercise that ..read more

As we age, likely you will notice certain subtle changes in your body including aches, pains, decreased sense of smell and perhaps even vision changes. Eating a healthy, rounded diet full of nutritious fruits and veggies can help protect us from some of these ailments. Carrots, peas and leafy greens are great foods to incorporate into the diet to improve immune function, skin elasticity, protein intake and maintain healthy eyesight. Did you know? Carrots are chock full of an antioxidant known as beta-carotene that not only helps protect the body from certain diseases, but can also contribute ..read more

​Brrrrr! Has anyone else felt the biting cold in these last couple of days? Of all the wonderful things that Minnesota offers us, I’ve got to say—the bitter cold is not one of them! Perhaps this streak of colder weather has you thinking of curling up on the couch with a good book, connecting on FaceTime with family and friends or spending the day cooking or baking a comforting dish. It’s important during the winter (and year round) to ensure we are consuming an adequate amount of nutrient dense foods to help strengthen and maintain our immune system. Additionally, we all need to remember to ..read more

What time is the right time to move your loved one from their home using Home Care into a new home in a senior living community? Sometimes, it's hard to know. Let's look at the differences between care at home and senior living in one of our communities. Care at Home Many people whose loved ones need a bit of assistance to live independently in their own homes choose an option called Home Care. Home Care is a great option for older adults that may need a little bit of assistance to live independently but there is a point where it may not be the best option. Check out our Assisted Living Chec ..read more

At Ebenezer, we believe the time to start talking about, exploring and even making the move to a senior living community is before you need it. It's true for so many reasons, but one of the most profound is one of Ebenezer's core values: dignity. All too often, seniors end up making the move after a catastrophic event — a fall at home lands them in the hospital, a health issue suddenly becomes too much to manage, or one of numerous other events that precipitate a move into senior living. Before they know it, they move from home or the hospital right into Assisted Living or Enhanced Care, and ..read more

We are pleased that federal and state officials have prioritized long-term care residents and their caregivers for early COVID-19 vaccinations. Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is one of the best ways to protect those living in and receiving care in our communities. The news of a vaccine gives us hope for the next chapter in our fight against this virus. Ebenezer communities have been among the first to receive the recently approved COVID-19 vaccine. In cooperation with the government’s distribution to pharmacies, we have begun administering the very first vaccines to staff and resident ..read more

January, as it turns out, is National Slow Cooker Month! Who knew, right? It makes sense, though, since January is often accompanied by cold weather leaving us craving warm and hearty meals. Slow cookers, or crockpots, are an easy way for us to make delicious meals while saving time and effort. That being said, there are some guidelines from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics we should all follow when preparing foods in a slow cooker: Wash your hands! Always begin with a fresh & clean workspace and clean hands. Keep refrigerated ingredients cold & refrigerated as long as possibl ..read more

Braving those cold icy storms is no easy feat for anybody, but hazardous winter outdoor conditions can be particularly dangerous for older adults. In fact, statistics indicate that up to 35% of older adults worldwide suffer a major fall each year, and the risk of suffering a fall is significantly higher for those who have to deal with cold, icy, and slippery winter climate zones.   Falls can be particularly treacherous for older adults who live alone, because should they suffer an injury, it can be especially difficult to summon help. This is one of the reasons even those older adults wh ..read more