Are you one of the 15 million Americans living with a food allergy? If so, you are part of one of the fastest growing populations in this country.  The eight most common food allergies in the US are dairy, eggs, soy products, peanuts or tree nuts, wheat, shellfish and/or fish.  Top of the list is the allergy to shellfish; this intolerance effects up to 6.5 million Americans, with this allergen you cannot eat any form of shellfish and may not be able to eat some types of fish.

 The next most common food allergen is peanuts and or tree nuts (walnuts, almonds, cashews). This allergy effects up to 3 million American and is growing in numbers.

• How do you live with a food allergy?

• Can you go out to dinner?

• Are pot -lucks and buffets off limits?

• If I eat this will it make me sick?

These are the questions that those of us with food allergies face daily.

At Village On The Isle the Food and Nutrition Department can help you face these questions.   We help our residents plan how to live with allergies. We can help you pick your menu choices & explain how to read labels on the food you purchase from the grocery store. Our specialists can give you alternative meal choices to suit your needs, explain common ingredients used in most recipes, customize your diet to fit your specific nutritional needs, and help you manage your intolerance. Food allergies are scary but with the help of our Food and Nutrition Department you can have your cake and eat it too.

 *This blog was written by our Director of Food & Nutrition at Village On The Isle.  In addition, we gathered information from these two sites: foodallergy.org/section/allergies and ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pibhealthy/PMH0001820

More seniors using iPads and Tablets

Seniors are learning the benefits of modern technology with the use of iPads and comparable devices such as the Tablet. It’s easy to fall in love with the iPad being that it is extremely portable making it easy to carry from room to room, bring on trips, and even take with you while shopping. Having a display screen 9.5 inches with large identifiable icons makes it easy for seniors to navigate thus making the iPad a sought after device. Many seniors struggle with finger dexterity or stiff fingers, using a touch screen that allows you to interact, makes it much easier for those with these ailments.

The virtual keyboard is really a plus in the senior community. The keyboard is large and easy to read and touch, especially when using it in the landscape mode. For those with low-vision, you are able to enlarge the text for easy reading of your favorite newspaper or magazine, books and web articles. Games are available to download for free from the Android Market (if you use a Tablet) and large variety of apps for your iPad are also available for free download.  Apps are really where it’s at. Apps allow baby boomers and seniors to really customize their device to meet their own personal needs.  Click here for 10 “starter” apps that come recommended by online reviews and experts who focus on how older people use technology.

Communication with family and friends is important.  More and more grandparents are using social media and technology to stay in contact with their children and grandchildren. An iPad or Tablet lets you “surf” the web and some even enable video chats.   These devices make it easy for you to write, send, and receive emails, take notes, keep appointments (on their user-friendly calendar), and so much more.

Seniors today are technologically savvy and want to stay in touch with the world! In fact our nation’s fastest-growing demographic group—people over 65 and over 85— are now being refereed to as our “Silver Surfers.”  They are joining classes and groups eager to learn how to take advantage of the technology available to us.  They may struggle at first with terms such as “streaming” or “social media” and how to decipher what LOL or OMG means, but they aren’t giving up.  They are adamant about learning and they are!

Village On The Isle Celebrates National Nursing Home Week

National Nursing Home Week begins on Mother’s Day, May 13 and continues until May 19, 2012.  Here at Village on the Isle we know that nursing home residents are the people who nurtured our community and helped it flourish and grow.  They are the teachers, shop keepers, business people, civil servants, parents and others who have contributed so much to the city of Venice.  This week gives us a chance to recognize their sacrifices and contributions.

This year’s theme is “Celebrating the Journey.”  Village On The Isle will be holding many events to showcase this week and give residents and staff a chance to be the center of attention.  On Monday, May 14 at 10:15 AM we will have our Opening Ceremony with Mayor John Holic, VFW, Venice High Color Guard, to name a few.  Tuesday May 15^th in the afternoon from 1pm-3pm we will have an Antique Car Show along with local radio personality. Wednesday, May 16^th the residents will enjoy a Sock Hop with entertainment by Ray.  On Thursday, May 17^th we will conclude our “Baby Photo Contest” and enjoy ice cream floats and finally we will close the week on Friday, May 18^th  with a balloon and butterfly release & BBQ.

We invite you to be a part of our National Nursing Home Week celebration.  Come and meet some of the wonderful residents at Village On The Isle.

Retirement Communities in Florida focus on recreation

Mr. Webster tells us that recreation is “A refreshing of spirits as a change from work or study.”  To be sure, there’s a whole lot of refreshing going on at Village On The Isle!

Residents need only to peruse their monthly calendar to find an exciting event, varied stimulating activities, live and lively entertainment, a potpourri of shopping excursions and road trips to nearby and/or far away venues. All are offered for the recreation of the body, spirit and mind.

The fun and excitement of doing things with friends and neighbors can be seen in the residents’ happy faces – can be heard in the joyful noise of their laughter – can be felt as it is shared.

If one would like to join in a wicked game of Bridge or take in some leisurely laps in our sparkling pool, Village On The Isle can and does accommodate these and countless other activities.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities should be filled with happiness and a rich activity schedule.  When you choose to spend your golden years in our community we take on the responsibility of ensuring you enjoy all of your time with us. Independent Living, Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing all enjoy the benefits of our wonderful recreation calendar.

Village On The Isle’s Recreation Department’s simple philosophy is “My Time is Now!”