Why Social Events Matter in Senior Communities
Around 30,000 senior living communities are operating in the US today.
There are countless benefits for seniors entering assisted living. Not only will their unique needs be taken care of, but they'll be able to spend time around their peers. Social interaction is essential for the elderly, as it supports mental health and cognitive function, as well as physical health.
When seniors don't get enough social activity, they can feel isolated. Social isolation is an epidemic among older populations in America. Fortunately, in assisted living, there are plenty of group activities to bolster your loved one's social life.
Today, we'll discuss the benefits of social events and community activities for elderly residents. If you're worried about your loved one's social life in assisted living, keep reading and let us put your mind at ease.
Improved Cognitive Function
One of the most obvious benefits of social events in senior living communities is improved cognitive function. Senior isolation is one of the lesser-known causes of cognitive degradation.
Studies have shown that there's a strong link between a lack of social activity and poor memory and thinking skills. Over 6 million American adults suffer from Alzheimer's and dementia. Once this process starts, your loved one will need more intensive care - memory care - from their assisted living community
Simply by being in assisted living, your loved one will enhance their social life. They'll be surrounded by people their age who they can relate to. That's just the start, however, as there are many planned group activities that your loved one can participate in.
Physical Health Benefits
Many of the community activities for elderly assisted living residents are geared toward physical fitness. Seniors need at least 150 minutes per week of moderate aerobic activity to maintain their health.
Regular exercise can help prevent things like heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, arthritis, and cancer. It also improves mood, lowering the risk of depression and anxiety.
So, what types of physical activities will your loved one take part in?
Assisted living communities offer many group exercise classes. It could be yoga, Tai Chi, or a walking group around the community. There may also be outings to local attractions and even light sports that combine teamwork and exercise.
Improving Senior Wellbeing
Seniors in assisted living have improved emotional and mental well-being. Those who live alone at home are more likely to develop feelings of depression and anxiety. If your loved one is starting to display outward signs of sadness, they'll benefit from senior living.
Because there are so many group activities available, they'll have every opportunity to experience the feeling of community. According to the World Health Organization, meaningful social activity improves mental health. Your loved one will have more satisfaction in life, as well as a higher quality of life.
A lot of seniors in assisted living develop meaningful relationships with fellow residents. Having strong friendships inside the community makes it easier to communicate and get emotional support from people outside of their family.
Senior social gatherings can put two people together who may not have met otherwise. Whether your loved one meets someone practicing yoga next to them or sits next to them in the restaurant, there are always opportunities to find like-minded people in assisted living.
Better Sleep
Group activities that keep seniors active are essential in promoting better sleep patterns. The importance of sleep in older adults can't be understated.
Seniors who don't get enough sleep have issues with memory and concentration. Elderly people need between 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night.
When seniors are active mentally and physically, they expend energy. By healthily expending energy, they'll be tired at the end of the day. As long as they develop a strong bedtime routine, they'll easily be able to achieve their sleep goals and experience all of the benefits of good sleep.
Less Stress
One of the goals of assisted living is relaxation. Group activities are designed to provide an enjoyable and laid-back experience for residents. This can be very helpful in reducing elderly stress.
Stress is a natural part of entering retirement age. When you've been living in the same routine for 40-50 years, the sudden transition can create a lot of overwhelming uncertainty. Stress naturally results from these kinds of major transitions.
A lot of effort is put into creating a low-stress environment in senior living. Some of the group activities/programs include things like gardening, music therapy, meditation, and yoga. Staff members also pay attention to residents' needs to create group activities that decrease stress.
Greater Sense of Community
Group activities are very helpful in instilling a sense of community and belonging for seniors. As people age, it can be difficult for them to "find their tribe", so to speak. That often leads to the feelings of social isolation that we mentioned above.
A huge emphasis is always placed on the community aspect of community living. Residents are given ample opportunity to meet and participate in fun and relaxing activities with their peers. They'll inevitably find that sense of belonging that we all seek.
Peace of Mind for Loved Ones
The last benefit of social interaction for seniors is the peace of mind it gives loved ones. Deciding to enroll a loved one in senior living isn't something to take lightly. It's a major transition for any senior, even with all of the benefits we've talked about today.
Having group activities to ease this transition and introduce your loved one to their new lifestyle is so important for everyone involved. If you're feeling tentative about the world of assisted living, it won't take long to quell your concerns.
Group Activities Are Essential to Senior Living
These perks are just the tip of the iceberg when talking about the benefits of group activities in senior living. When you find the right community for your loved one, they'll experience a new lease on life that they may not have thought would come.
The Camelot is one of the top senior living communities in the area. In addition to the amazing staff and state-of-the-art building, we keep a calendar full of group activities for our residents to participate in. Contact us today to book a tour and learn more about our community.