Senior Apartments & Retirement Community near Renton, Washington

Nutritional & Dietary Program at Our Senior Living Community in Renton WA

The food we tend to hate keeps our bodies feeling great.

When it comes to managing our aging process, most experts these days point out the importance of exercising and socializing. However, there’s one more important factor that’s often overlooked, and that’s nutrition. 

Choosing an appropriate diet does not only affect our physical health, but it also boosts our mental well-being. Several recent studies suggest Mediterranean-style diet can have a long-lasting beneficial impact and protect the mind - as well as the body - against a variety of illnesses.

It’s easy to overlook the importance of our digestive system and think of it as nothing more than a network of tubes that break down foods. But it’s far more complex than that. We’ve all heard of serotonin, the hormone of happiness and well-being. But what most of us don’t realize is that serotonin is synthesized - and absorbed - in our guts. And its primary carriers in this process are our gut bacteria. Meaning that wherever there’s a healthy balance of gut flora, there’s enough serotonin production and absorption. This, in turn, results in more energy, better and stable mood, and most importantly - a better overall function of the immune system, which protects us from harmful pathogens and illnesses.

Cuisines rich in fruits and vegetables, such as the Mediterranean and traditional Japanese, have been proven to benefit and nurture our gut flora. Supplying them with much-needed fibers and amino acids, these foods strengthen and maintain our gut flora and keep our immune system strong, yet satisfied.

Healthy and diverse diet is a top priority at our senior living renton WA Community

Our cooking staff takes all this seriously, and therefore is skilled in preparing menus that are both appealing, and meet the necessary nutritional requirements. Using seasonal herbs, locally grown in our own gardens, our Executive Chef Frank Blanchard and his team offer our residents a wide variety of healthy, yet delicious dishes. And while most assisted living communities use standardized menus for all their residents, often resulting in bland and repetitive dishes, here at our Renton retirement community, we take pride in customizing our residents’ diet plan to meet their needs and preferences.

For their daily fiber needs, our residents have the full salad bar at their disposal, while the seafood and meat section offers them the right amount and kind of proteins for more energy. Furthermore, we pay special attention to socialization during meal times. In fact, our dining rooms are specially decorated to appease our residents and everything that’s done for the residents is already included in their monthly rent. All residents can consume their meals as they please, specifying their portions and meals throughout the day. And for those special occasions where they want to spend some time in their apartments, room service is available non-stop.

Staying Social at Bellewood Assisted Living Renton WA Community

Aging doesn’t mean giving up on social life

As social beings, humans are hardwired to seek company and share emotions. Although often overlooked when talking about physical health, socializing and positive emotions are key to wellness and longevity. As medicine advances and uncovers new connections previously overlooked, more and more attention is being directed towards emotional life as the basis for physical health.

Our minds and emotions are tightly interlinked with our immune system and biology. Meaning that how we feel and how we live on a daily basis has a deep and long-lasting impact on our bodies for the rest of our lives. And one of the best ways to obtain and maintain happiness on a daily basis is through socialization. For this reason, a modern assisted living Renton WA community should always encourage its residents to socialize and share as much free time as possible.

Here are some simple but effective ways to stay social near Renton

Most of us love to surround ourselves with friends and dear people, but sometimes what we really need is one-on-one time with our closest friends. Don’t just maintain contact with them. Invite them over for a cup of coffee and a long, relaxed session of chit chat. Throw in a meal or a casual walk around the neighborhood.

Not only is it fun, but it’s also beneficial for your physical and mental health. Occasionally, you will find yourself unable to meet up with your friends in person. But don’t worry, because technology is there to help you in those situations as well. With so many video chat services available these days, distance should never again be an obstacle for getting in touch with your friend and loved ones. Make it a habit to schedule one-on-one sessions once every two weeks and stick with it.

Besides maintaining close relationships, group activities are also essential for our psyche. They maintain our social and cognitive skills and remind us that there is still a whole world out there waiting for us to join in and enjoy the fun. There are many types of group activities to choose nowadays, from local elder clubs to community workshops specialized in particular crafts. Depending on your location, explore and find out what options are there for you. Book clubs, workshops, board game clubs, community gatherings… all of them offer plenty of opportunities to maintain current, and even more important - forge new friendships.

At Bellewood Senior Apartments Renton WA, We Prioritize Socialization

It goes without saying that everything goes easier and smoother when you’re surrounded with people and socially active. Moving into a senior apartment can be a huge step and change for most folks. It comes with some challenges, as it marks the beginning of a new era in one’s life. And that’s why it is imperative to do it the correct way and with the help of the right people.

After all, assisted living in Renton WA shouldn't be just about providing basic care and services, it should also include social and mental development through fun and interesting experiences. That’s why we at Bellewood pay special attention to our residents’ physical and mental health by promoting and encouraging social activities. 

After completing their daily recreational routine and Qi Gong session, our residents can sit together and enjoy some of our specialties in the restaurant. For those looking to spend the afternoon in a peaceful and quiet manner, we offer the local library with its own book club, where fans of literature can gather and share their experiences and passion for reading. Or, in case they need to rest their eyes for a while, they can join up with other artistic souls in the Visual Arts Classes and learn to visualize their impressions and transfer them onto canvas.

Those more into fashion and wellness can enjoy our salon or spa center and refresh their body and mind with a new haircut, manicure, pedicure and much more. Once energized, they can head to our Music class or Singer’s club and try their music skills. After all, practice does make it perfect, and what better way to practice and improve skills than in a company of supportive friends and tutors.

What about those interested in gastronomy? Oh, we’ve got it covered too! We know some of our male residents prefer to spend their mornings with their fellow pals, and therefore we’ve come up with Men’s breakfast out, where they can spend their time and talk about “men stuff” as much as they please. 

Besides providing shuttle services to local religious communities, our senior living community in Renton WA also offer on-site Bible talks and Communion. And for those feeling more spiritual than religious, there’s the Spiritual reflection talk, where residents can share their feelings and experiences.

Last but not least, there’s the Murder Mystery Dinner Theater. A special event, beloved by both our residents and our staff, it is hosted several times a year. Offering the audience to be the part of an exciting show with lots of suspense covered in humor and comedy, it is perhaps the pinnacle of socialization at Bellewood senior apartments Renton WA, and a dear memory to everyone who experiences it.

Transitioning to a Senior Living Renton WA Experience

As we enter retirement and begin to adjust to our new way of life, it soon becomes obvious that things aren’t what they used to be. Despite so much free time, work and worries continue to mount. And while the most logical solution is moving into a senior retirement community, such a huge change can present a challenge for some folks. It can be hard to leave our home behind, with so many pleasant memories with it. Furthermore, some folks don’t see such a move as just leaving their home, but giving up on their independence as well. It doesn’t have to be that way.

The first and most important step is to approach the situation from a logical standpoint and with the help of your loved ones. By talking with others, especially with your family and friends, and senior care professionals, you will be able to form a bigger and clearer picture of what to expect. You will begin to see the many benefits that such a change can bring. 

The more informed on senior care communities you become, the easier things will get. And soon you will realize for yourself that you’re not giving up on your independence. But on the contrary, you are freeing more time and space for yourself to do the things you want and like.

Once all details and issues have been considered and solved, the next step is to formulate a long term plan, to make the transition easier for both sides. It is vital to go through and solve all dilemmas, as it will help and affect both sides.

What are the benefits and features of Senior communities?

Senior communities come in many forms, from retirement communities to senior living apartments and assisted living campuses. But what they all share are organizational features, which focus on providing their residents with everything they need without exposing them to unnecessary hassles and risks. Instead of having to do everyday work and chores by themselves, they have everything they could need in close proximity, with all sorts of assistance to make their lives easier and happier.

At first glance, it may seem like a slow-paced, dull life. But on the contrary, it gets better and better with time. A well-managed senior housing residence such as Bellewood Assisted Living in Renton WA will always encourage its residents to live an active life and be as outgoing as possible. These communities are designed and organized to promote vibrant lifestyle and social interaction, thus making sure that all participants stay happy and healthy in every way.

Choosing to move to a senior housing community benefits not just the seniors themselves, but their families and friends as well. By deciding to make the move, their relatives can stop worrying about their loved ones getting injured or overwhelmed by problems. It is also a financial relief since it eliminates the need and expenses for personal caregivers.

What makes Bellewood Senior Apartment Community the right choice

As a senior community dedicated to encouraging social activities and strong interpersonal bonds, Bellewood maintains a reputation of being one of the most desirable choices. Everything within our campus is designed and organized to make lives easier and more pleasant for our residents while giving them maximum independence. 

Among many events we love to host, there’s the Perfect 10 club, which consists of staff and residents who have been with us for over ten years. This is our way of showing appreciation and dedication to the members of our community, or our big happy family, as we like to call them. We take extra care, making sure our tenants become and stay physically active and thus keep their overall health throughout retirement. 

Our LifeMinded approach to senior care includes several key programs that make your stay even more exciting and worthwhile. 

It is understandable that the transition to a senior living community in Renton WA can be a big step for some folks. And because of that, we encourage you, and others considering their options, to come and visit us so that we can give you a detailed tour of our campus, introduce you to our staff and answer all your questions. 

We will also introduce you to other Bellewood residents who can give you a first-hand testimony of their experience and life in our community. To that end, we keep a relocation coordinator on hand to answer any orientation questions a new resident or their family may have. 

And once you have made up your mind and decided to become part of our community, we introduce all newcomers to a select group of people known as “ambassadors”. This is just a fun take on introducing new residents with the most welcoming and positive residents in Bellewood. Ambassadors merely welcome new residents and help them settle in. Moving to senior care is a big step, but at Bellewood Renton retirement community, you won’t have to do it alone.

As time passes by, our interests and dreams change. But there’s one thing all of us need throughout life, regardless of our age - independence. And while it can be challenging for some to give up on their home and settle in a senior housing community, it really is by far the most practical thing to do. No matter how much we try to avoid it, staying in our homes eventually leads to isolation and loneliness. Seniors living alone have to be particularly mindful of this as it can be detrimental to their physical and mental health.

On top of that, as we age and our bodies get slower and more delicate, the amount of work that needs to be done in and around the house stays the same. Meaning that things we didn’t even have to worry about earlier, begin to overwhelm us. Just moving around the town or meeting up with friends can be a challenge, not to mention chores and housework.

This is why more and more seniors across the country are moving from their homes to senior communities, which are skilled and equipped to help elders turn a new page in their lives and make the most out of it.

How Independent Senior Living Communities Near Renton work

Devised as communal homes for seniors and retirees, Independent Senior Living Communities are huge complexes consisting of one or several housing units. They come in many forms, including apartments, bungalows, or custom-designed suites. The key principle behind their design is to enable elders to live close to each other to make their lives easier, while still preserving a level of privacy and independence.

Apart from encouraging resident socialization and improving their quality of life, these facilities usually offer a range of other activities and services. 

For instance, our assisted living Renton WA center offers its residents housekeeping, transportation, fitness programs, security, and lots of group activities to keep them entertained and happy. And most importantly, enabling our residents to enjoy retirement without having to do what is difficult, risky, or tedious for them.

The concept of Aging in place - A Fulfilled Life At A Renton retirement community

The idea behind it all is to allow seniors to live their lives and complete daily tasks without the need to leave their communities. Needless to say, the better the complex is designed and equipped, the better it is at handling its residents’ needs.

And this is what Bellewood specializes in. With immediate assistance available in each and every housing unit, our residents feel safe and looked after all of the time. Communication is our top priority, which is why we have voice-activated call systems installed in all living quarters. With transportation always available to remove the stress and hassle of having to walk long distances.

Why our Senior Living Community in Renton WA is exactly what you need

Founded and run as a family business, with 30 years of experience, we differentiate ourselves from other senior housing communities by helping its residents socialize and use their free time as best as possible. We make sure to make our staff as content as our residents, which is noticeable as soon as you enter Bellewood.

We suggest you pay us a visit as we would be delighted to give you a free detailed tour of the place, answer all of your questions and show you why Bellewood Senior Living Community is the right choice for you.

How Fitness Programs Fit In With Assisted Living in Renton WA

There are many reasons why we tend to slow down and become more sedentary and passive with age. It may be due to health problems, weight or pain issues, or worries about injuries. Or perhaps you think that exercising simply isn’t for you. But as you grow older, an active lifestyle becomes just as important to both your physical and mental health.

A recent study found that physical activity was the number one contributor to longevity, adding extra years to your life, even if you don’t start exercising until your senior years. But getting active is not just about adding years to your life, it’s about adding life to your years.

Getting moving can help boost your energy, maintain your independence, protect your heart, and manage symptoms of illness or pain as well as your weight. Regular exercise is also good for your mind, mood, and memory as it regulates and boosts the immune system, which keeps illnesses and health problems away and makes sure you get the most out of your body.

It’s never too late to get fit, and your body will thank you for it

As metabolism gradually slows with age, maintaining a healthy weight is a challenge. Light exercise helps increase metabolism and builds muscle mass, helping to burn more calories and speed up metabolism. 

Numerous studies prove that older adults who have regular physical exercise and spend enough time outdoors also prolong their lifespans and retain their brain health. It has long been considered that the immune system deals only in detectable pathogens and harmful bacteria, but recent discoveries prove that it has an enormous impact on our brain health as well.

Becoming more active can lift your mood, relieve stress, help you manage symptoms of illness and pain, and improve your overall sense of wellbeing. You gain the benefits of adding more movement and activity to your life, even in small ways. No matter your age or physical condition, it’s never too late to get your body moving, boost your health and outlook, and improve how you age. And believe us when we say that your body keeps track of everything you do with it, and eventually rewards you if you treat it right.

LifeMinded living concept for a long, healthy and happy life

With the importance of regular exercise in focus, we have developed our own program called LifeMinded, which consists of five categories. The first one focuses on yoga, dancing classes, and walking. The second pillar is brain fitness, activities combining leisure time, various challenging competitive activities, and brain-activating puzzles, encouraging participants to maintain and use their wits to solve complex problems.

Social connection lands on the third place of LifeMinded living and is carried out through various social activities, workshops and parties. These kinds of events are hosted on a weekly basis in order to encourage our residents to socialize and develop new relationships.

Our senior living Renton WA wellness coaches also believe that the feeling of making a difference in the world is the best motivation for all people, and hence - implement it in our LifeMinded program. It is designed to show our residents that they still have more than enough time and abilities to develop new skills, discover fresh passions and make a meaningful impact on their community and the world by funneling their energy into creativity.

Handling Finances - Moving Towards Assisted Living in Renton WA

Most seniors who live on their own with a fixed income face a plethora of financial challenges. Expenses keep piling up while savings get smaller and smaller. Some handle it by adjusting their living habits and planning their budget. Others hire professionals for financial help and advice. Both strategies work in most cases. 

But the majority of senior citizens have to rely on their own judgment and often fall prey to their own habits and self-confidence.

Self-confidence is necessary but it can also hold you back and make you not realize that you have some habits that are detrimental to your own wallet. As long as all factors are considered, you will be able to make a functional financial plan.

The pros and cons of staying home or moving to 

When choosing your next place to settle down, besides financial and living plans, you need to consider your health and satisfaction as well. 

There’s a good reason why assisted living and senior living communities are on the rise, as most folks realize that spending their retirement alone in their houses is just not worth the hassle, as there’s always something that needs to be done and something that needs paying.

Besides doing regular housework and dealing with mortgages and rents, there are other unforeseen costs that begin to surface over time. As retirees age, their daily needs change and their budgets can have a hard time keeping up. Installing a stair ramp, remodeling bathrooms, adjusting the driveway, buying new appliances… all these come with a hefty price. And to make things harder, not all of them add to property value.

Independent living and retirement home communities, on the other hand, are devised and organized in such a manner to eliminate all unnecessary costs for seniors while providing them with everything they’ve had while living on their own. 

The regular monthly rent includes housekeeping, food and beverages, TV, phone and internet access, parking, transportation, field trips, and all of the wellness activities we talked about. Sticking to its tradition, Bellewood includes all of these features in its monthly rent fee, with possible variations depending on your personal needs and preferences.

What Makes Our Senior Living Renton WA Offer So Successful?

Of course, we understand that financial planning is a long-term process and we all like to live our lives without worrying. This is why we’ve come up with LifeMinded Rewards program intended for those who plan to live at Bellewood near Renton for a longer period. It prevents any rent increase for our senior apartments Renton WA Facilities for those who have lived within our community for a certain period of time.

The program activates after reaching the 3rd year of your stay with Bellewood and makes sure the rent will never increase by more than 2% per year. After 5 years, your rent can never again be increased by more than 1% per year. Finally, after 10 consecutive years with us you will never again experience any rent increase whatsoever. 

It’s as simple as that, as there are no other hidden details, just a policy that puts your peace of mind first. LifeMinded Rewards is our most prominent and most unique aspect of our take on finances, although it should be noted it’s not our only one. 

Unlike most retirement communities or independent senior housing communities, Bellewood prides in maintaining a transparent and clear set of policies about everything it offers, including finances and fees. We’re happy to answer any questions you have so you can make the best decision for you and your family.

Questions you should ask when deciding on your retirement community:

What are the different levels of care available?

Different senior living and retirement communities offer different levels of care, here are the very basic differences.

Housing only: What you’d expect, 55 and above senior housing. Typically with fitness rooms and common lounges but no meals, no maid service and often no transportation.

Independent Senior Housing: You live and cook in your own space but there are many social opportunities to take advantage of.

Assisted living: This is the hardest to compare as the level of assistance offered vary. At a minimum it should include some meals, transportation, maid service and 24/7 on call assistance. From there the level of care increases with need, offering on site nursing and medical care and eventually providing what it typically thought of as nursing home services. Not all assisted living communities are the same, take your time and shop the ones you are interested in.

Do you offer assisted living services? 

It’s important to determine if the senior living community is the right fit for you, and for your future. Make sure to ask about their assisted living services, transportation, memory care, and wellness programs to determine if it’s a right fit. Read our posts on assisted living and independent living to learn more.

Bellewood residents have access to personal care services in the comfort of their senior apartments. Even though we are an independent senior living community, there is no need to leave Bellewood if you need assistance with grooming, laundry, medication reminders or other personal matters. Access to assisted living services can be provided on your terms by our partners or anyone of your choosing. Read more about our partners and the assisted living services they provide here.

Do you allow pets?

Many assisted living communities and retirement homes do not allow pets. If your pet is an important part of your family, be sure to keep them in mind when selecting where to live, it will be their home too.

At Bellewood, small pets are welcome. We can even help you find dog-walking services.

Will I have to sign a lease?

In order to make a good decision for your senior housing situation, you need to be able to plan for your future, and the unknown that comes with it. Make sure to find out the monthly and annual expenses that will be required by the independent living facility. Some assisted living or senior living communities require an initial deposit or a substantial joining fee. Make sure you know what you’re signing up for and what happens if you have to change your plans, before making any commitments. At Bellewood, we do not require signing a long-term lease, we rent our senior apartments on a month-to-month basis, even though many of our residents stay here for years.

What is the rent and how often does it increase?

This seems pretty simple, but often it’s not. Make sure you get details so you can plan your finances and ensure your future is secure.

You can find out exactly what rents are at Bellewood here and about how we protect our residents from increasing rents with LifeMinded Rewards here.

How does your meal plan work?

Meal plans and the quality of the food are important parts of your decision to join an assisted living community. The dining experience is also important, is it a cafeteria environment? Restaurant-style serving? Can you get room service?

The quality and nutrition of the food should not be overlooked. Adequate nutrition is critical for seniors to maintain muscle mass and overall health.

Bellewood’s monthly food service fee is included in your rent, and provides for the equivalent of one meal per day and you can choose to use those meals whenever you’d like, lunch or dinner.

Do you provide transportation?

Coming home to an inviting home is important, but inorder to come home, you must be able to get out and about. If you don’t drive, or plan to eliminate driving in the future, make sure you have access to the transportation you’ll need for social engagements, shopping, banking, and medical visits, on your schedule.

An important part of enjoying life at Bellewood Senior Apartments is your access to the outside world. Bellewood offers regular transportation to their residents, come see our concierge for details.

Is parking available?

Parking is important to the senior apartment residents who drive, and for those who may come to visit. Ensuring adequate parking is critical for your daily convenience, and also has financial implications if you have to find alternate storage for your vehicle.

Bellewood has plenty of surface parking for you and guests at no extra charge. We’ll even valet your car for you if needed.

Where can my family stay when they come for an extended visit?

For many, leaving their family home often means also leaving their extra guest room. It’s important to ensure that your visitors have a comfortable, affordable, and convenient place to stay when they visit. Make sure you aren’t limited in your ability to visit parents just because they’ve moved to assisted living.

At Bellewood we have apartments available for families use when visiting. This means you don’t have to find a hotel, you’re a short walk away from the folks and most importantly, your parents don’t need to pay for and keep up an extra room or two in their home.

What are community fees?

Community fees are charged by many assisted living or senior apartments to cover the administrative fees associated with a new resident move-in. Typically the fee runs from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. At Bellewood, we do not charge a separate community fee and most of our amenities are included in your monthly rent.