Choosing independent living at McCarthy Court in New Bern, NC, makes it easier to put self-care ideas for mental health into practice. Our maintenance-free apartments, chef-prepared meals, and full calendar of social and wellness activities make each day purposeful and help keep minds fully engaged. In this kind of community, you're free to build your own schedule, focusing on what keeps you calm, connected, and mentally sharp, free from concerns about home upkeep.
New Bern is full of engaging activities and amenities for seniors, with walkable streets, cultural attractions like the Birthplace of Pepsi, and parks for invigorating walks. With around 211,000 Tar Heels now living with Alzheimer's disease, according to the Alzheimer's Association, it's good to do all we can to keep our minds sharp and engaged, with stimulating social interaction that protects against many mental and physical issues.
At McCarthy Court in New Bern, you'll find so many ways to protect brain wellness in aging in a comfortable setting.
Later life is the ideal time to build routines for sharper thinking. Remember, as Stanford Medicine points out, dementia is not an inevitable part of aging. And although it may not be entirely preventable, staying mentally sharp and socially connected are great ways to keep your mental health as good as possible.
At McCarthy Court, residents can choose to build their daily life around small, repeatable habits that make a big difference. Each day you wake up in a private apartment, giving you an ongoing sense of purpose and independence. Breakfast is your choice; make something yourself or head to the dining room to enjoy a chef-prepared meal with other residents.
After that, you can choose activities that support senior cognitive health, such as:
These are opportunities for social connection, learning new skills, focused concentration, and practicing fine motor movements, which could become more challenging as we age.
NIA researchers recently discovered a clear link between staying active and maintaining senior cognitive health. Their findings, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, show that regular exercise may even help reduce the incidence of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
We understand that getting active in your senior years can seem overwhelming. But it's a breeze when you join our independent living community. Every day, there are fitness and wellness classes you can join that are tailored to seniors' needs and help to safely build strength and stamina.
Our senior-focused fitness center also allows you to work on your own self-care ideas for mental health.
The five C's of mental health are guiding principles to help form mental strength habits. They are:
Life at McCarthy Court naturally touches all five. Shared dining spaces, a library, a fitness center, and beautifully landscaped grounds provide the connection and space you need to put these principles into action.
Self-care ideas for mental health do not mean taking a deep dive into philosophy or radically changing your life. Instead, the most effective ones are often small changes that push you slightly out of your comfort zone. Routines for sharper thinking may include:
If you find it hard to interact with others, possibly after being socially isolated for a long time, then start small. Look at the activity calendar and choose one thing you would like to do. Make it your goal to connect with one other person when you attend.
Or at mealtimes, try to sit with a different person one day a week. In time, you'll make lots of new friends, boosting independent living mental wellness.
Mental Health America offers a few suggestions that can help people of all ages live in a way that promotes good mental health.
The first suggestion is to keep your home tidy. Although McCarthy Court provides housekeeping services, you can complement this by tidying up every day for a relaxing and safe environment.
The second thing is to ensure your home is comfortable, with inviting furniture, personal keepsakes, and colors that lift your spirits. Additionally, getting fresh air into your room is beneficial. Good air quality lets more oxygen reach your brain, lifting your mood and sharpening your mind.
For good brain health, look beyond puzzles and brain training exercises. Crafts, art sessions, and new hobbies are also great ways of keeping your brain active. They allow you to express your emotions, explore new ideas, and enjoy deep focus.
The combination of mental focus and fine motor skills is a great way to keep your brain agile.
Spending time outdoors each day is one of the most grounding forms of self-care. Natural settings help to calm the mind, encourage gentle movement, and foster feelings of contentment and gratitude.
Green spaces at McCarthy Court are designed to be safe, accessible, and delightful. So if the weather's good, why not make it a goal to head outdoors even for a few minutes every day?
Self-care ideas for mental health do not need to be revolutionary, but they have the most impact when they are consistent. At McCarthy Court, our welcoming environment, accessible campus, and wide range of fitness and wellness activities support independent living and mental wellness.
With five upscale private home floor plans to choose from, McCarthy Court is all about elevating your lifestyle, along with your physical and mental health. Schedule a tour today to experience the McCarthy Court difference for yourself.