How Community Events Enhance Senior Independent Living
Recent statistics show that 34% of older adults consider themselves lonely and isolated. An even higher figure feels a lack of companionship, and one in three seniors have infrequent contact with people outside their household.
Luckily, senior living communities offer community events that can help older adults connect with others around them. Read on to learn the benefits of community events and how they can enhance daily senior living.
Discovering Diverse Interests
Engaging senior events come in a wide range of shapes and sizes.
Some residents enjoy activities that keep them moving, like stretching groups, yoga classes, and dance workshops. Others take physical activity a step further with golf games and outdoor cycling. These are great for building flexibility and mobility, and the adrenaline rush that comes with exercise is a great way for people to feel alive and energized.
However, other seniors will prefer more intellectually stimulating exercises than physical ones. Book clubs, game nights, bingo brunches, crafting workshops, and even guest lectures talking about various topics all exist in senior communities.
This lets people engage with their specific interests so they feel fulfilled. Residents can also take opportunities to discover new hobbies and passions that they weren't aware of before.
This is especially awesome for those who want to add some variety to their lives or take up hobbies that they didn't get a chance to do in the past.
Meeting Close Friends
Senior living communities are filled with individuals who have different interests. They're as diverse as the available activities in a community. More so, even!
However, meeting people with similar interests is the best way to get to know people. If two or more people have a lot to talk about, they're more likely to achieve emotional intimacy and establish a meaningful connection.
When seniors go to community activities that appeal to their interests, they can expect those with similar interests to attend as well. This gives residents the chance to make new friends that they're excited to spend time with outside of scheduled activities.
Less Isolation
The fundamental reason for loneliness and isolation among seniors is a lack of meaningful connections. It's hard to meet people when you don't have the chance to do so.
Many seniors outside of communities struggle to meet new people because of mobility and memory issues. They may not have the means to get around after losing their driver's license, and public transit may be inaccessible. This means that joining new clubs and communities is out of the question.
One of the biggest senior living community benefits is the ability to join clubs and attend meetups within the community itself. No transportation is needed, and when it is, it's provided.
There's a world of possibilities outside every well-appointed apartment, so prioritize independent living activities when choosing a community for your aging loved one.
Structured Engagement With Community Events
As people grow older and lose mobility, their days tend to lack structure. But having a routine and some organization to each day means less stress, better sleep, and a greater desire for activity.
Structured community activities are a reason to get out of bed in the morning. They're motivators. They're a cause for excitement. Since they begin at a certain time, they add an element of routine to each day.
This is true whether your loved one looks forward to an in-community movie night or a group outing to a local restaurant.
Changes of Scenery
Many community events take place outside of the actual community grounds. Experts provide disability-friendly buses and vans for group outings. People can get on these vehicles and be transported to shopping centers, town squares, libraries, movie theaters, and delicious restaurants.
Getting out and seeing new things adds variety to any day, so it's a great way to give residents something to look forward to.
Plus, leaving the community requires seniors to walk around and try new things, which can help them get more active. This is essential for overall health since it promotes mobility and physical activity.
Physical and Mental Health Benefits
All the benefits of community events culminate in better mental and physical health.
Social activities are mentally stimulating and keep the brain active, which reduces the risk of anxiety and depression. It also can stave off memory-related problems and keep the mind sharp since communication requires critical thought and fast thinking.
This is especially true when seniors go to game nights, puzzle nights, and in-community lectures that get the gears of their brains turning! Alzheimer's and dementia may be less likely when older adults get more socialization and intellectually stimulating activities.
The mind and body are also greatly connected, and there are tons of physical health benefits of community events as well. Active exercise groups obviously improve flexibility and make it easier to move around since seniors are in good physical shape.
But even non-physical community events can enhance health. Social engagement is correlated with a stronger immune system, especially in seniors.
This makes people less likely to get sick. Some research suggests that it can also benefit the cardiovascular system and relieve symptoms of high blood pressure.
Longer Lifespan
According to Harvard researchers, an active social life can also help people of all ages live better. This is especially important in senior living communities since older adults are more susceptible to health issues.
Since studies show that isolated individuals have a 50% higher risk of early death, senior community events may literally save lives. This isn't just true because they provide a sense of purpose - it's also important to remember since events help older adults build social connections.
Prioritize Active Senior Living
Now that you know why community events are important in senior living, it's time to begin reaping the benefits of these independent living activities.
Our team is committed to offering a wide range of calendar events, including outings with accessible transportation, game nights, and guest lectures. Reach out to learn more about our community and how we can help your loved one age happily.