February 24, 2023
No matter our age, building relationships with others is fundamental in enriching our lives. Research has shown that people who enjoy healthy relationships, live longer and happier lives. Maintaining relationships as we age has numerous health benefits such as increasing our physical and mental health, increasing mental acuity, promoting laughter and more!
At The Wellington Senior Living, I, as the Resident Services Director, play a pivotal role in helping to create opportunities for our residents to build relationships with their peers as well as helping to maintain these relationships through daily events. Oftentimes, aging adults are afraid of senior living settings. They see it as an end to their independence. Most fear being isolated from family and friends. One of the stigmas associated with senior living is, “I’m too young and active to be in senior living.” Therefore, many avoid it as an option all together. Unfortunately, this means they also lose out on the abundant opportunities to create new friendships and memories that this setting provides.
In our community, we have a group of residents who are professionals at welcoming new residents and helping them to feel at home as they settle in. We also ensure that new residents are invited to join all events, based on their preferences. Once our residents take advantage of these events, they often find themselves meeting new people or even connecting with old friends or neighbors. Through our daily events and programs, we often see close friendships form that continue. Residents begin having meals together or even take trips out of the community for shopping and family get-togethers.
It is my goal to help build and foster these relationships and break the stigmas associated with senior living communities. When planning the calendar, I like to schedule a wide variety of events. Crossover events are also planned, so residents may visit from other neighborhoods to try a new activity and make new friends. Once a month I sit down with residents in each neighborhood and ask them which events they would like to see on the calendar in the upcoming month. I inform them about upcoming traditions and fun days, to see if they have any ideas on new things to do.
By living in a senior living community residents are able to be involved in events they may not have the opportunity to do if they were living at home. Many of my residents have found they feel better, both mentally and physically, after moving into the community. They often start their day with a cup of coffee and a chat with their neighbors before morning exercise. The afternoon may be filled by a board or card game, a fun craft, or a movie.
Sources: https://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1000316
The Wellington Senior Living in Liberty, MO offers senior villas, independent senior apartments, assisted living, and memory care with a variety of services and a range of floor plan options. Amenities include restaurant dining, 24-hour bistro, concierge service, housekeeping, events and entertainment, personal care, transportation services, and more. Centrally located near Liberty Hospital with convenient access to major shopping centers and attractions, including Shoal Creek Golf Course, Historic Downtown Liberty, Stocksdale Park, and Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary.
