Benefits of community culture for senior residences
The stigma of ‘having’ to move to a senior home is decreasing by the day. Gone are the days when senior homes were only concerned with nursing and basic levels of care. Today’s seniors expect more from their residence.
A recent study found that the reasons behind moving to a senior home have changed. There was a time when seniors would move only after a health crisis. Or they may not be able to take care of routine activities. But not anymore. Today, moving to a senior home is a lifestyle choice [1].
In 2019, residents look for more than health services. A retirement home is not a hospital or nursing center. They want social activities, amenities, and opportunities to learn. In short, they are looking for a new community to engage with. So what are the benefits of fostering a sense of community?
Benefits of Community Culture
Fostering a community culture has a lot of benefits for your residents. It boosts their mental and physical health. It allows them to maintain an active and social life even as they grow older. That sense of community can also help you attract the best employees and keep your residents happy at the same time!
Avoid Social Isolation
Social isolation is a huge problem for seniors. They may not be able to drive to their favorite restaurant or club. Friends may have moved far away. They may have health issues affecting mobility. At a senior residence, at least some of the problems are solved.
You can organize activities for your residents on-site. This means no one has to drive anywhere. Enable opportunities for everyone to interact even if they have health issues.
Every social interaction promotes a sense of community and engagement among seniors. This helps them stay mentally and physically active even as they age.
Motivation and Support
A good community should provide motivation and support for its members. Seniors are more likely to achieve their goals with community support. A person might not go for a walk alone, citing health reasons. But what if all their friends were going? Seniors are more likely to stay active with encouragement and support from their neighbors.
It’s not just about staying fit or mentally active. Community support can also influence health outcomes. Seniors recover quickly from an illness when they have social support. They’re also less likely to neglect their medication or other routines.
Experience New Things
Senors can experience new things as part of a community. Just because you have retired doesn’t mean you stop learning or growing. In fact, it offers plenty of time to start a new hobby or indulge in a favorite pastime!
Trying something new can be an exciting adventure. Being part of a community helps seniors discover those new things in the first place. Consider a senior who has never had a garden of their own. Watching a fellow resident grow plants may encourage them to do the same. It can even inspire them with great ideas for their own hobby.
Trying new things is essential for mental agility. It’s easy to settle into a routine with age. But starting a new hobby can help seniors slow the effects of dementia or memory loss.
Explore the World
A sense of community can help seniors explore the world. It’s much easier to go to a concert or enjoy a seminar with friends around. Many seniors move to a new city because they like the services and amenities in the residence. A community culture can help them do more in the new location.
Even if they move to a residence in the same city, seniors can discover new places and activities with others. They may find things they didn’t have time for before retirement. As a community manager, you can also organize trips to local attractions or nearby parks to help your residents.
A Sense of Purpose
As we age, it becomes harder to find a purpose and sense of belonging. This is especially true for retirees. Seniors often find it difficult to adjust to a life without appointments or professional connections. Fostering a sense of community can help your residents avoid the feeling of being adrift and aimless.
An interesting and rich social calendar offers seniors a sense of belonging and purpose. They can choose from a variety of activities based on their interests, mood, and general health. Some may even want to play a more active role and become speakers to share their hobbies with others. Many people love sharing their expertise and knowledge even if they’re no longer working.
A great community culture offers immeasurable benefits for your residents. It takes some time and effort to build a great community. But your residents will enjoy the positive benefits for a long time to come!
Source:
- https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2588026