This biweekly column is sponsored by The Mather in Tysons, Virginia, a forward-thinking Life Plan Community for those 62 and better.
Do you generally have an optimistic view of the future? If so, you may be reaping some hidden benefits. And if not, you still have reason to… well, hope.
“Hope is a powerful state of mind. For example, it’s been linked to better social well-being outcomes, such as life satisfaction, sense of purpose, and quality of life,” says Cate O’Brien, PhD, AVP of Mather Institute. The Institute is the research area of Mather, the organization that’s bringing The Mather, a forward-thinking Life Plan Community for those 62 and better, to Tysons in early 2024. The Institute is an award-winning resource for research and information about wellness, aging, trends in senior living, and successful aging service innovations.
“Our researchers partnered with Washington University in St. Louis on a study of hope and healthy behaviors,” says Dr. O’Brien. “We found that people with a hopeful disposition are more likely to practice healthy lifestyle behaviors and feel positive about the future.” Therefore, by promoting a hopeful outlook, you can actually impact multiple areas of your health.
The good news is that even if you’re not a natural optimist, it’s possible to improve that mindset. Mather Institute researchers combed through previous studies on the subject, and came up with 10 tips that have been proven to help people foster a sense of hope and stay motivated.
- Set goals for yourself. Goals could be short-term (e.g., aiming to walk for 20 minutes every day) or long-term (e.g., learning a foreign language).
- Start slow. Make sure that the goals you set are attainable (e.g., eating a healthy diet or getting enough sleep).
- Break up goals into smaller goals to make them more manageable. For example, if your goal is to walk for 45 minutes every day, start with a 30-minute walk, three times a week and build your endurance.
- Keep realistic expectations about your goals and be creative. If bad weather interferes with your weekly lunch with a friend, enjoy a “virtual” lunch together over a video call.
- Develop a purpose in life. You can volunteer at your local food pantry, participate in a fundraiser, tutor school-aged children, or collect or distribute items of clothing.
- Nurture your hobbies. Pursue your passion, be it gardening, baking, writing, traveling, or scrapbooking.
- Challenge yourself. Complete a crossword or Sudoku puzzle.
- Try new things. Learn new skills such as playing a musical instrument or try out a new restaurant every month.
- Engage in social activities. Try to socialize regularly with friends and family. You can also join a book club or gardening club, video chat with grandchildren, or find a walking partner.
- Practice reflection. Meditating every day or maintaining a daily gratitude journal are some great ways to reduce stress, increase self-awareness, appreciate life, and think positively about the future.
The Mather, projected to open in Tysons, VA, in early 2024 for those 62 and better, is a forward-thinking Life Plan Community that defies expectations of what senior living is supposed to be.
This biweekly column is sponsored by The Mather in Tysons, Virginia, a forward-thinking Life Plan Community for those 62 and better.
Research has shown that older adults who engage with the arts in a group setting — anything from dancing to a poetry group to singing in a choir — enjoy tangible benefits in multiple areas of health. This has to do with feelings of mastery, and with social connection.
“This research, combined with Dr. Gene Cohen’s description of life after 50 as a time of potential and inner growth known as the Creative Age, forms a foundation for using creativity to support personal wellness,” says Caroline Edasis, AVP of resident engagement for Mather. Mather is the organization that’s bringing The Mather, a forward-thinking Life Plan Community for those 62 and better, to Tysons in early 2024.
Susan Fine (pictured above) agrees. An artist with a studio and gallery in Washington, D.C., she plans to move to The Mather. She explains that, after a successful career in health care, “I went to Glassell School of Art at the Museum of Fine Art Houston when I was 60. And I so enjoyed the experience! You can be more creative the older you get — child-rearing responsibilities and traditional work may recede, and you open up to other things. There are so many directions you can go in art; I focus on painting and mixed media.”
Midge Scelzo, who is also planning to move to The Mather, has a similar story: “I worked in banking for 25 years, then as CFO for tech startups. In 2009, we moved to Florida and I started a new CFO job… but I realized I wanted to get back to art. I wanted to challenge myself.” She joined a group of artists and started painting. “I’m loving it. It uses a different part of my brain. I’m still that finance person — detail-oriented and organized — but art relaxes me, and I can tune out the world.”
Creativity as Wellness
Mather encourages residents in their existing communities — not just those who are established artists — to try creating new art forms in Open Art Studios. These studios, which position arts engagement as a vehicle for wellness, not just recreation, inviting both lifelong and new artists to explore their own Creative Age in a welcoming group setting.
“While working in diverse media including ceramics and mixed media/painting, participants often realize alongside their peers that they have an untapped expressive ability, a new love for a specific media, or a personal project to pursue,” says Caroline. “One of our master’s-level facilitators, trained in art and psychology, is present to support each individual’s creative journey, and that person helps transform the group into an uplifting community in which residents learn more about each other and themselves.”
Inquiry-Based Art Viewing
Mather also has a signature approach to art appreciation — one that mirrors how contemporary museum practices are evolving. Rather than teaching or encouraging art appreciation with lectures from an expert such as a docent, they focus on inclusive, inquiry-based art-viewing techniques.
“Did you know that the average person spends 17 seconds looking at a work of art in a museum?” asks Caroline. “In our visual literacy programs, we often spend a full hour describing an image, sharing stories conjured by the work of art, or even creating group poems in response to the work. These techniques focus on the interests, experiences, and curiosity of viewers to deliver intellectually stimulating content while challenging us to bring culture down from the pedestal and into our lives.”
“This method is a great way to improve people’s cognition, and their interest and engagement with life,” says Eileen Mandell, who is planning a move to The Mather next year. Eileen, who is currently the community relations director at 1st Stage theater in Tysons, has been immersed in the world of theater as well as studied and practiced various art media. “I’m looking forward the creative arts programming that The Mather will offer,” she says. “I’m a creative person in general, and I want to act as an art maven there.”
The Mather has already formed relationships with local arts organizations, and plans to offer inquiry-based art experiences for residents on-site in museums, theaters, galleries, and more.
Mather recognizes that creativity is about much more than visual art. They encourage everyone to recognize aging as a time of great creative potential, whether through music, poetry, storytelling, dance and movement, or even gardening — the sky is truly the limit.
The Mather, projected to open in Tysons, VA, in early 2024 for those 62 and better, is a forward-thinking Life Plan Community that defies expectations of what senior living is supposed to be.
This biweekly column is sponsored by The Mather in Tysons, Virginia, a forward-thinking Life Plan Community for those 62 and better.
Golfing is more than a pleasant pastime: research has shown that regular golf games can offer proven benefits that substantially improve your physical and mental health.
One reason to keep playing: a regular golf schedule can add years to your life — literally. A Swedish study of data on 300,000 golfers found that those who played regularly had a five-year increase in life expectancy over non-golfers of the same age, gender, and socioeconomic status.
Sally Wallace of Fairfax County is a beginning golfer who took up the sport partly for the fact that she will be able to play it later in life. “Someone suggested golf as a social sport, and one that I can do for the rest of my life — it can keep me active,” she says. Even as she prepares to move to The Mather, a Life Plan Community for those 62 and better that’s opening in Tysons in early 2024, she’s embracing her new hobby, and plans to sign up for private lessons with a golf pro. “My goal is to play on a team next June,” she says.
Sally currently lives in suburban area near the main campus of George Mason University, and next spring, will move about 10 miles to The Mather, which is located in a walkable urban neighborhood by Tysons Galleria. “I’m looking forward to the change — I almost can’t wait!” she says. Sally is looking forward to meeting other golfers there, so she can continue to enjoy her new hobby.
Here are some tips on making the most of your time on the green:
- If possible, skip the golf cart. Better yet, skip the caddy. If you play an 18-hole course three to five times a week and walk rather than ride, researchers estimate you’ll get the optimal amount of endurance exercise for good heart health.
- Get your brain in the game. Golf can also improve your brain health. Not only does the physical exercise stimulate nerve cell connections — which can delay mental deterioration and even dementia — the mental aspects of the game can keep cognition sharp. Tallying scores, planning strategy, and focusing on hand-eye coordination all provide healthy workouts for your brain.
- Make it a social game. Getting together with friends and acquaintances has been proven to improve mental health and brain health. So, make the most of socializing during (or before and after) a golf game — catch up on news, share a joke, or make plans for future games.
“I’m a runner, a walker, a swimmer, and a weight-lifter — but those are all solitary pursuits,” says Sally. “I’m looking for that social component. And everyone at the driving range seems very encouraging and welcoming. Golfers seem like a good group to be part of.”
- Let go of stress. Participating in an activity you enjoy, which requires concentration, can release mood-boosting endorphins in the brain. This immediately makes you feel happier and more relaxed. And during the periods of time you spend eliminating or forgetting stress, you are actually reversing its negative effects on your body and brain.
- Enjoy the outdoors. Simply being outside has a positive effect on your mood. Research has shown that regular exposure to “green areas” can cause our bodies to relax and let go of stress, as well as ease anxiety. One study showed that those who exercise outdoors rather than inside experienced greater mood elevation and actually exercised for longer periods of time.
The Mather in Tysons, VA, for those 62 and better, is a forward-thinking Life Plan Community that defies expectations of what senior living is supposed to be. It opens in early 2024.
This biweekly column is sponsored by The Mather in Tysons, Virginia, a forward-thinking Life Plan Community for those 62 and better.
“Happiness is a warm puppy,” according to Peanuts creator Charles Schulz. It turns out that science has proven him right; research has revealed that owning a dog offers many concrete benefits, including positive impacts on physical, mental, and emotional health.
That’s good news for dog owners and their canine-appreciative neighbors who are planning a move to The Mather, a Life Plan Community for those 62 and better that’s opening in Tysons in early 2024. The Mather will be a pet-friendly community, with an adjacent dog park among its many green space amenities.
One future resident of The Mather, who asked to go by M.O.B. for Mother of Barlow, says, “The ability to own pets at The Mather was absolutely instrumental to us. We took our terrier Barlow on a walk around The Mather’s immediate vicinity before we committed ourselves. We wanted to check out the walking opportunities for him and for us.” The Mather’s nearly three acres of private and public green space links to other green spaces, creating a dog-walker’s paradise.
Lou Marotta and his husband Mike Fullwood will move to The Mather with their 100-pound Scottish deerhound Elvis next year. “We’re excited about The Mather. We’ve met all our neighbors on the 27th floor, and Elvis is already the floor’s mascot,” says Lou. Mike points out, “That’s a good example of how dogs have a unifying effect.”
That unifying effect is just one example of the powerful benefits that dogs offer us humans:
Dogs Can Brighten Your Mood
People are hard-wired for connection, and research has proven that simply petting a dog can increase oxytocin levels, a hormone that lowers blood pressure, helps reduce fear and anxiety, and improves alertness.
“That steady companionship enhances your life immeasurably. Ultimately, it’s the emotional role this companion has in your life,” says M.O.B.
Dogs Can Keep You Physically Active
One obvious benefit of having a dog is that it keeps you active. Walking a dog ensures regular physical activity — a key component in staying healthy and independent, boosting mood, and even benefiting the brain. “We walk a minimum of four to six miles a day. He’s got lots of energy!” says M.O.B.
Elvis gets four walks a day. In the past year, he, Lou, and Mike moved from a home in the Virginia countryside to an apartment in Washington, D.C., in preparation for their move to The Mather, and the trio is exploring city life. “We live within walking distance of the Jefferson Memorial and the Washington Monument,” says Mike. “Earlier today, I walked him around the entire Tidal Basin.”
Dogs Strengthen Social Ties
Dog walkers get much more interaction with neighbors than others, as they meet, greet, and talk to those they pass. “Having a dog makes you interact with others more. Being in a new town, we’ve made friends taking Elvis in and out of our building,” says Lou. Mike adds, “Elvis is more noticeable than many dogs, so people are inclined to stop and talk to us.”
M.O.B. enjoys the enthusiasm of others who meet Barlow: “Who doesn’t like to have strangers talk about how wonderful your pet is? There’s a joy to having someone praise your dog.” And she points out a unique aspect of socializing with people on her walks: “When you’re in the company of a dog, you’re identified as a dog person; it’s a welcome sign to interact with you. It fosters community, and the sharing of resources and information with other dog owners,” she says.
Australian researchers found that dog walkers can have a positive effect on their whole community, making community members more likely to interact on the street, meet each other, and even exchange favors with neighbors.
Dogs Can Keep You Alert & Engaged
Petting a dog or cat also strengthens sensations such as touch. Something as simple as touching a pet sustains psychological well-being by stimulating the senses each day. Studies have shown that people also exhibit improved alertness when caring for a pet.
“A dog demands love — and they demand it from you; they need it in order to thrive,” says Lou. “I think that’s good for us as we age — to have something that needs us, another being that we have to care about.”
The Mather in Tysons, VA, for those 62 and better, is a forward-thinking Life Plan Community that defies expectations of what senior living is supposed to be. It opens in early 2024.
This biweekly column is sponsored by The Mather in Tysons, Virginia, a forward-thinking Life Plan Community for those 62 and better.
Taking regular walks has been proven to offer impressive benefits for different aspects of your physical, cognitive, and emotional well-being. And it may be the perfect way to get exercise: walking is free, low-impact, and can be done anywhere — and just a half-hour walk a day can impart health benefits.
Now there’s good news for city-dwellers: recent research highlights the benefits of “urban walking” in green spaces such as parks. In a new study, researchers from the Science Museum of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Virginia, and Virginia Tech found that walking in a quiet setting in an urban environment — one that offers shade and greenery — can significantly reduce stress and boost mood.
The researchers point out additional benefits for cognitive health and feelings of depression and anxiety, as walking in these environments can lead to interactions with others, building ties between neighbors. The study’s co-author, Jeremy S. Hoffman, PhD, says “In our study, we basically showed that walking in a shady, quiet neighborhood was like going to a therapist, trainer, and outdoor thermal oasis all at the same time.”
The plan for Tysons includes adding green space and parks of various types as well as trails and other outdoor gathering places. One of these parks is currently under construction by The Mather, a Life Plan Community for those 62 and better that’s opening in early 2024.
Located near Tysons Galleria, The Mather is adding nearly three acres of public/private green space that will feature walking paths, an urban lawn area, and many other outdoor amenities such as tennis, badminton, a dog park, and more. While the community will have a fitness center complete with indoor pool and exercise studio, future residents are looking forward to utilizing the park for entertainment, relaxation, and, of course, walking.
“I love to walk — I love being outside, especially in the morning,” says Faye Brady of McLean, who is planning a move to The Mather with her husband. “Right now we live in a lovely subdivision called Evans Farm, and my neighbor Linda and I walk almost every morning. We like to explore the area, and we’ve met many lovely people over the years.” The two women walk through McLean, changing up their route and logging about four miles. Faye also walks every Monday with another neighbor, winding through McLean Central Park to total around five miles.
As it turns out, she and the two neighbors are all moving to The Mather. “We’re really good friends,” she explains. “There are five couples in our subdivision who are moving there. I’m not sure who decided first, but when I found out that both my walking friends were going to move there, we signed up too!”
It seems that the green spaces at and around The Mather will be put to good use.
The Mather in Tysons, VA, for those 62 and better, is a forward-thinking Life Plan Community that defies expectations of what senior living is supposed to be. It opens in 2024.
This biweekly column is sponsored by The Mather in Tysons, Virginia, a forward-thinking Life Plan Community for those 62 and better.
If summer has you thinking about beach reads, barbecuing, and browsing farmers’ markets, go for it! You’ll be supporting your health. “Many leisure activities provide opportunities to socialize, learn, be active, and carry out your life’s purpose — each of which has been proven to support health and well-being,” explains Cate O’Brien, PhD, the VP and Director for Mather Institute.
Mather Institute has compiled findings from a variety of sources to provide some guidelines on this. The Institute is the research area of Mather, the parent organization to The Mather, a Life Plan Community coming to Tysons.
Here are eight ways to spend your free time that can provide health benefits:
1. Make Music. Learning to play an instrument challenges your brain and may improve brain function — and playing an instrument is associated with better cognitive and brain health and psychological and physical well-being.
2. Be Social. Positive, supportive relationships play an important role in well-being. Social support can improve mood, reduce stress, and improve immune function. Spend time with family, friends, or neighbors. Take advantage of opportunities to meet new people and cultivate supportive relationships. Consider joining a group, taking a class, or volunteering to double up on positive effects.
3. Embrace Your Spiritual Side. Spirituality and religiosity are both linked to good health for a variety of reasons. Persons who are spiritual or religious often have a strong sense of purpose, which is associated with a reduced risk of many diseases. Meditation and prayer can help regulate emotions and in turn, contribute to positive physical functions such as healthy blood pressure.
4. Volunteer for a Good Cause — it’s not only good for others; it’s good for your health. Volunteering can promote a strong sense of purpose, which is linked to improved coping with stress, positive health behaviors, and even a longer life. Find a cause that is meaningful to you and dedicate some time to it — it doesn’t have to be a lot for you to reap the health benefits.
5. Get Physical. You already know that physical activity is good for you. Physically active people tend to enjoy a reduced risk of disease and functional limitations, along with a boost to their mental health and brain health. Find an activity you like and move for 30 minutes or more most days. Need extra motivation? Partnering with a friend can help you stay on track.
6. Join a Group that participates in an activity you enjoy. Group activities seem to provide social benefits over and above those from participating in other social activities. Activities such as singing with a choir or riding with a cycling club can provide a boost to psychological well-being, as well as mental, physical, and cognitive health.
7. Learn Something New. Learning, whether informal, self-directed, or formal, can improve well-being. Learning a new, mentally challenging skill may help to keep your brain healthy. Consider studying a language, taking dance lessons, learning to quilt, taking up photography, or learning to play an instrument.
8. Let Purpose and Passion Be Your Guide. Immerse yourself in activities you feel passionate about. First, a strong sense that your activities and goals are purposeful, important, and meaningful — whether it is raising your grandchildren, volunteering to improve the environment, or continuing your education — can improve health and longevity. In addition, simply enjoying an activity keeps you feeling good, helps you stay engaged, and can provide opportunities for growth and social connection.
Choose any of these enticing options for spending your free time, and know that research has proven it is time well spent.
The Mather in Tysons, VA, for those 62 and better, is a forward-thinking Life Plan Community that defies expectations of what senior living is supposed to be. It opens in 2024.
This biweekly column is sponsored by The Mather in Tysons, Virginia, a forward-thinking Life Plan Community for those 62 and better.
People who love their work are more likely to be happy, healthy, and optimistic. That’s good news for Helen Fall of Annandale, whose passion for music and teaching has translated into a fulfilling career.
If you’ve attended local symphony performances, you’ve likely heard Helen. She’s played viola in the Fairfax Symphony for 30 years, the Alexandria Symphony for nearly 32 years, and the Arlington Symphony (where she served as principal viola for 20 years). “The two symphonies (Fairfax and Alexandria) occasionally have conflicting dates for performances, so I have to choose between them,” Helen says. She has also performed in numerous chamber ensembles, including Argonne String Quartet and Fairfax Chamber Ensemble, and has been engaged as a soloist. But her passion is teaching young violin and viola students.
“I know so many people who are excited about retirement, but I don’t see myself stopping,” Helen says. “I’m so excited by what I do.” In fact, she and her husband Bob are preparing for a move next spring to The Mather, a Life Plan Community for those 62 and better that is opening in 2024 in Tysons. After the move, Helen will continue to work: “We’re moving into a large two-bedroom apartment, and one bedroom will be my music studio so I can continue teaching,” she says.
Moving to The Mather “was an easy decision,” according to Helen. “We thought it looked perfect — we’re moving in younger than we had planned, but we can’t pass this up — the opportunity to live in a new building, in a community like this. We’d talked about moving to D.C. to be close to everything.” She hopes to get together with other musicians living at The Mather. “Some of us have been in contact already, and are talking about playing together.”
In the meantime, Helen has a full schedule. Her summers are busy, as she works with high school students to get them ready for regional auditions at the beginning of the school year.
As of spring 2023, she has 14 students, though she tries to cap the number at 12. “I’m really proud of my students — they’re amazing kids. I get to see each of them every week for years; it’s almost like being a parent. One student who just graduated high school has been with me for nine years!”
Helen also does a lot of freelance coaching in high schools. All area schools have to perform in district assessments each year — their orchestra, band, and choir — where they are rated. “I’m hired by individual teachers to coach their sectionals,” she explains. “I do quite a bit of this type of coaching. Like a lot of musicians, I juggle a little of this and a little of that — there’s a wonderful energy to it.”
Her passion for teaching, coaching, and playing music prove that in building her life’s work, Helen is hitting all the right notes.
The Mather in Tysons, VA, for those 62 and better, is a forward-thinking Life Plan Community that defies expectations of what senior living is supposed to be. It opens in 2024.
This biweekly column is sponsored by The Mather in Tysons, Virginia, a forward-thinking Life Plan Community for those 62 and better.
More than a game, mah-jongg offers opportunities to socialize with other players and is an effective workout for your brain.
“I’ve been playing mah-jongg for about 35 years, and teaching it for about 25,” says Janie Goldberg. “I love the social aspect — it’s just so much fun, and it never gets boring.” Janie and her husband Steve have lived in Telluride, Colorado, for more than 30 years and are deeply involved in the community. In addition to running the Telluride Mountain Mah-Jongg Group, Janie has led the board of the National Historic Landmark known as the Historic Lone Tree Cemetery District since 2014, and was also instrumental in getting the local humane society built. “My husband and I say that since we retired, we work full-time for free,” she jokes.
Despite their deep Colorado roots, Janie and Steve are looking forward to moving to The Mather, a Life Plan Community that is opening in 2024 in Tysons. “We have lots of friends in the D.C. area, and heard about The Mather from one of them,” says Janie. “It made sense to move closer to our family in New York. We wanted a Life Plan Community — it takes the burden away from our family — and Mather has a great reputation. It’s a great location, close to everything, with the Metro nearby, plus we’re hikers, and it’s near some good trails. And we enjoy other stimulating people who have led interesting lives.”
As for mah-jongg, she says, “It’s going to be perfect at The Mather. It really fits the bill of Aging Well.” She’s already offered a class to her future neighbors.
Research shows that people who regularly play mah-jongg can reap a handful of valuable health benefits.
Cognitive workout: Although there are many varieties of mah-jongg played around the world, “American” or “Western “mah-jongg is the version played in all 50 states. Mah-jongg requires concentration, pattern recognition, and strategizing — all of which can strengthen short-term memory and focus. Research shows that it also builds skills in decision-making, and can help reduce the risk of cognitive decline. One study showed that mah-jongg players enjoyed the cognitive benefits long after playing!
Social bonds: “The difference between mah-jongg and games like bridge is that mah-jongg is really social — it’s fun, you can laugh if you want to, and you can have the beverage of your choice,” says Janie. These opportunities for social interaction and connection — whether you’re playing with friends or new acquaintances — are great for your overall well-being. The game has been shown to reduce depression.
Stress relief: Any game or pastime you enjoy has a physical effect on the body, reducing stress and inducing relaxation; this has a positive effect on your physical and mental well-being.
Eye-hand coordination: Mah-jongg offers practice in fine motor skills, requiring speed and accuracy in matching tiles.
The good news is that there are ample opportunities to try your hand at mah-jongg. “It’s pretty much taken the country by storm,” says Janie. “You can go anywhere in the US and find a game.”
The Mather in Tysons, VA, for those 62 and better, is a forward-thinking Life Plan Community that defies expectations of what senior living is supposed to be. It opens in 2024.
This biweekly column is sponsored by The Mather in Tysons, Virginia, a forward-thinking Life Plan Community for those 62 and better.
The path to wellness is a very personal journey, and one that is unique for each of us. That’s why organizations that are committed to helping people meet their wellness goals see positive results when focus is placed on individual preferences.
At The Mather, a Life Plan Community for those 62 and better opening in Tysons in 2024, resident wellness will be supported through some “person-centric” amenities and offerings — designed to be customizable to individual goals, needs, and desires. Far beyond the community’s fitness center with a group exercise studio, cardio/weight training, and an indoor pool, The Mather will support each resident’s wellness through myriad offerings, including some cutting-edge technology and holistic classes.
This is fitting of an organization that has earned top honors in wellness: operator Mather earned top industry awards in the area, with their Life Plan Community in Tucson ranked #1 in wellness among senior living communities in all of North America, earning a ICAA NuStep Top 5 Pinnacle Award for exceptional, above-and-beyond performance using wellness as a foundation, and partnering with residents and staff to create relevant, meaningful opportunities that empower people to age well. (The same awards ranked Mather’s Illinois Life Plan Community among the top 25 on the continent, and recognized CEO Mary Leary as one of the Top 5 Wellness CEOs in senior living in North America.)
Mather’s unique approach to resident and staff wellness is based on the Person-Centric Wellness Model, which was developed by Mather Institute, the organization’s research area. Grounded in scientific research, it offers an evolved approach to whole-being wellness that empowers individuals to choose the types of fulfillment that match their aspirations. The model will be applied to offerings at The Mather, from cultural and educational programs to creative arts offerings to the fitness center’s group classes, personal training, and equipment.
Below is just a sampling of the unique wellness offerings planned for the community:
Vibrational Therapy & Audio Frequencies
The spa at The Mather will house a Gharieni Welnamis spa wave bed. This bed uses computer-controlled vibrational therapy and audio frequencies to train the brain to relax. Similar to meditation, certain sounds heard through stereo headphones slow mental activity, while the bed’s vibrational frequencies target the body’s energy centers. Users can adjust settings on the spa bed to address their specific wellness goal, such as reducing stress, increasing concentration or creativity, or improving sleep quality, among many other focuses — along with duration and other customizable features.
Holistic Wellness Sessions
Programs at The Mather cover a variety of wellness approaches, from traditional fitness classes to some holistic offerings such as sound wellness. Sound wellness refers to using audio — including music, acoustic resonance, and/or vibration — to boost our well-being. Science has shown that sound has a profound effect on our physical health, mood, mental health, and overall well-being. Sound therapies and sound-bathing workshops can target stress or fatigue, trigger rest and recovery, or boost productivity.
Spa Treatments for Whole-Person Wellness
Imagine a spa where you can snip herbs and flowers from a live plant wall for tea and customized spa treatments… where you can test out zero-gravity seating to improve your circulation and relieve pain… where you can bathe in the healing air from a Himalayan salt wall. The Mather’s spa will include all this, along with signature skin treatments and hair and nail services.
“The Mather is attracting a diverse group of older adults,” says Mary Leary, CEO of Mather. “As a result, we aim to incorporate wellness practices from around the world, including Wyda movement theory of the Celtic Druids, which helps people achieve harmony with nature and contentment through mindfulness.” This holistic regenerative approach is similar to Qi Gong and yoga, while originating in a different part of the world.
Wellness options like those outlined above hint at the broad range of choices we have when pursuing our personal wellness. When it comes to taking care of your health, think outside the gym!
The Mather in Tysons, VA, for those 62 and better, is a forward-thinking Life Plan Community that defies expectations of what senior living is supposed to be. It opens in 2024.
This biweekly column is sponsored by The Mather in Tysons, Virginia, a forward-thinking Life Plan Community for those 62 and better.
When The Mather, a Life Plan Community for those 62 and better, opens in Tysons in 2024, its modern apartment homes — some up to 3,300 square feet — will offer a great canvas for residents to decorate. With expansive views, open floor plans, and elegant fixtures, the homes are a dream for interior designers and those who love to refresh their décor.
Current design trends are fun and expansive, yet practical. Maximalism is bigger than ever, new textiles are a game-changer, retro is popular (again), and we all want a lighter environmental footprint. Here’s an overview of what’s hot in interior design:
1. Maximalism still going strong. While midcentury modern furniture is here to stay for a while, the maximalist trend of opulent, lush décor featuring layers of sumptuous textures has grown in popularity. Instead of clearing out a lot of your older pieces, the new trend seems to be, if it gives you joy, keep it — only make it bright, to bring happiness in!
Those who prefer minimalism can keep their pared-down décor, but have fun incorporating a bit of maximalism with a single grouping of small items on a mantel or side table, or a short wall devoted to an eclectic art collection.
2. High-performance fabrics changed everything. Manufacturers are creating upholstery and other fabrics that look like velvet and linen but can withstand a lot of wear and tear. So you can have a white sofa, for example, without worrying about how it will hold up. The variety is amazing — even faux-distressed fabrics — and you can layer them for that maximalist look. Unlike older manufactured fabric, these are soft and comfortable.
3. The 70s are back! Designers are having fun with 1970s colors and patterns. Current design is using a lot of retro earth tones, especially browns and golds, paired with deep blue, and geometric and basketweave patterns.
4. Reduce, reuse, recycle. A lighter environmental footprint is important to people today, so it’s “in” to use recycled and repurposed furniture. Rather than buying replacement furniture, hold onto pieces that are meaningful to you. You can use them as accents to your new decor. Think beyond painting — you can reupholster chairs or sofas, change out chair or table legs, and update hardware on drawers.
While these trends are fun and offer diverse options, keep in mind you are not obligated to follow any of them. Your home should be a reflection of who you are and what makes you happy.
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