Everyone needs interaction with others. Especially as we age, maintaining social connections is essential for our emotional and physical health.
While many people consider a senior’s physical health and medical care when considering an assisted living facility, it’s equally important to focus on their emotional needs. Building a supportive community is the foundation for a happier, healthier life in assisted living.
Encourage Active Participation
Assisted living communities that prioritize social activities can boost the quality of life of their residents. From group discussions to fitness classes, seniors can learn new skills and enjoy themselves while building a close-knit community. The benefits of social engagement also extend to seniors’ mental health, as it stimulates the brain and promotes memory retention.
A study found that seniors who included co-residents in their networks reported higher subjective well-being than those who did not. Therefore, senior facilities must encourage their residents to form these relationships. This can be done by rewarding those who participate regularly or offering a variety of fun events and groups. These opportunities can also help combat loneliness and prevent elder abuse.
Promote Healthy Lifestyles
Assisted living communities offer various social activities for residents to engage in. The options are plentiful, from music and dance to gardening and community outings. These social interactions help to promote physical wellness by keeping seniors active. They also encourage emotional wellness by providing a safe space for seniors to express themselves.
Having a support system can also lower stress levels and extend life expectancy. In one study, seniors with a high sense of community reported fewer health issues and lower mortality rates.
The importance of promoting healthy lifestyles should be emphasized more for seniors. This is why many assisted living in Orlando communities offer nutritionists who can create dietary plans that cater to each resident’s specific needs and dietary restrictions. This ensures residents have a well-balanced diet and the nutritional benefits they need to thrive.
Maintain a Sense of Belonging
A sense of belonging is vital for a senior’s health. Without proper sleep, individuals are at risk for mental stress and a decline in cognitive function.
Assisted living communities that prioritize social activities can provide seniors with a place to find a meaningful community and a sense of belonging. This community can consist of friends, co-workers, a birth family or one they create, or a religious, civic, or educational group.
Residents may also develop a sense of home through the objects they display in their rooms. Upon moving into an assisted living residence, many brought possessions from their former homes and acquired new items.
Combat Loneliness
When your parents retire, many factors can make it challenging to maintain a social circle. Friends move away or die; family members have their own lives, children, jobs, and families to care for; health and mobility issues may keep them from participating in activities they once loved.
Loneliness and social isolation have serious health risks and can affect mental, physical, and emotional wellness. Encourage your senior loved one to connect with others through group activities in assisted living. These include musical and art classes, tai chi, and group trips. The friendships they form may improve their quality of life and increase their sense of happiness.
Combat Elder Abuse
A healthy social network can lighten a senior’s mood, reduce depression risk, and encourage positive health-seeking behavior. Assisted living communities that offer group fitness classes and other social opportunities, for instance, can augment a senior’s ability to form new connections within the community.
