The latest blog posts and information.

To those in the know, gardening is one of life’s true pleasures: a chance to commune with the natural world, work steadily and in tune with the seasons, and see the fruits of your labor slowly emerge. Perhaps nothing is more satisfying than the first bite of a tomato you grew yourself, or being able to toss a little basil into a pasta.But what if you don’t have a green thumb? What if that herb garden always seems to wilt, or the flowerbeds never bloom?

The first wave of summer may have peaked with several 100+ degree days in July, but here in Central Virginia, we usually see a second wave of heat that lingers long past Labor Day. While we enjoy having four seasons, the last gasp of summer heat can grow tedious—and it poses a special danger to seniors who might over-exert themselves and overheat. Until the mild days of autumn arrive, here are five tips to help you stay safe:1.

It’s been nearly 30 years since DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince rapped about how parents just don’t understand, and most of us no doubt go through a teen angst phase where we strove to build our identities and discover the freedom of adulthood.But at some point, we inevitably discovered our parents’ point of view, which makes National Parents Day—the fourth Sunday in July—such an important holiday. Unlike Mother’s Day or Father’s Day, which gives us t...

Summer is in full swing, which means it’s time to take advantage of the warm weather and long days by cooking up a few nice meals to share with family and friends. At Brandermill Woods, we’re all about lifestyle, and nothing says summer lifestyle like breaking out the grill in the summer.Because grilling is a healthy and tasty way to enjoy your favorite foods, it pays to do a little research. You can grill so much more than meat, from fish and breads to fruits and veggies—even ...

During the hot summer months, water is not only the perfect place to play, it’s a wonderful way to work-out. As one of the most therapeutic activities you can participate in, water-aerobics provide a variety of holistic benefits.As part of our recent expansion, Brandermill Woods’ new Wellness Center offers an indoor swimming pool for water lovers. Whether it’s laps every morning, a water aerobics class or just some time relaxing in the pool, here are 10 reasons to enjoy some fu...

Alzheimer’s, dementia and other memory issues affect millions of older Americans. At Brandermill Woods, we know that memory care is about more than just medication and assistance with personal needs. It’s about creating an engaging and stimulating atmosphere for our residents.To achieve this, we stay on top of the research into the science behind how the brain works, and we use the findings to help the people in our community reconnect to the special moments in their lives.