Social isolation is an epidemic in the country, especially among older populations.
According to surveys, 37% of US adults between 50 and 80 experience loneliness, and 34% claim to be socially isolated. There are many reasons why seniors are more affected by loneliness, but none of them are reasonable. Isolation can quickly lead to feelings of anxiety and depression.
It's up to the rest of us to create more engagement among seniors. Senior living communities are capable of improving senior socialization through community involvement programs.
In today's post, we'll explain some of the benefits of senior programs. When you see how fruitful life can be in a senior community, you can make the right decision for your loved one's future. Keep reading and see how engagement programs for seniors can benefit your loved one.
A community should always offer plenty of senior social activities to create connections every day. The daily activity calendar might include things like storytelling circles, walking clubs, game nights, and the like.
With each activity your loved one takes part in, they'll have another chance to get to know their peers. This type of freeing social interaction will reduce feelings of social anxiety and deep depression that result from isolation.
There's never any pressure to take part in daily activities. Residents can pick and choose what they participate in, allowing them to follow their interests and meet like-minded people. This is the best way to build meaningful connections that help get rid of the pains of anxiety and depression.
The benefits of senior programs aren't limited to mental health. By participating in daily activities, your loved one will get the exercise that they need to enjoy better physical health.
Seniors need at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week to avoid health issues like unnecessary weight gain and heart problems. Many of the activities they'll be participating in with their peers will involve plenty of exercise.
It could be yoga one day and leisure sports the next. Because they're group activities, residents feel more compelled to take part, making it easy to achieve fitness goals.
Cognitive decline is a concern for seniors everywhere. More than 120,000 seniors deal with the effects of Alzheimer's and dementia in Wisconsin alone. Whether your loved one is already among them or wants to avoid cognitive decline, social interaction is crucial.
Regular social interaction helps seniors improve their memory and problem-solving skills. Senior community activity programming will ensure residents are being engaged mentally as much as possible.
If your loved one is in memory care, they'll have specific programming to manage their symptoms. Highly trained staff will help monitor their development and create connections with other residents to improve cognition as much as possible.
Something that a lot of seniors lack is a sense of belonging. It's no secret that we live in a fast-moving world. Many seniors feel left behind, especially when they're living alone.
Being in a senior community allows them to interact with people their age. Instead of feeling that the world is passing them by, they'll spend time with other like-minded folks who can keep them grounded. There will always be a spot for them in their community.
In a roundabout way, more senior engagement can help them regain their independence. Socialization tends to build up confidence in seniors, especially when they've lost confidence through isolation.
We've seen countless seniors come through our doors, many of whom have experienced some degree of social isolation. Over time and with the help of fellow residents, they can break the spell and build confidence.
Once they do, they can become more and more independent. Whether that means going for solo outings to local amenities or initiating conversations in common areas, it's all positive and helpful.
It's never too late for seniors to grow. When they're in senior care, they'll be able to socialize with people of all different backgrounds. This is a great way to learn and broaden their horizons.
Many seniors are somewhat set in their ways and are reluctant to embrace new ways of thinking. Within a few months in senior care, they'll have met new people, tried new activities, and eaten new food. When you visit them, you'll see the positive changes and their new lease on life.
Living alone and feeling lonely can compromise a senior's sense of security and safety. If they're anxious about going out into society, they'll gradually become more insular and avoid doing it altogether.
The nature of a senior living community is to enhance this sense of safety and security. Of course, the community itself takes every safety precaution to prevent falls and injuries.
It's the community aspect of senior living that enhances the sense of security, however. The more time your loved one spends around community staff and fellow residents, the more comfortable they'll become. Soon enough, they'll be able to feel more secure in public.
Lastly, a huge benefit of community involvement programs is the peace of mind it brings friends and family. All loved ones of seniors understand how difficult it can be to watch their relative get older. It's even trickier when you're their primary caregiver.
Transitioning to a senior care community can be overwhelming, but after a few weeks, you'll see your loved one thriving. This will vindicate your decision to embrace senior living and bring a huge sense of relief, knowing that your loved one is happy, healthy, and socially active in their community.
As you can see, community involvement programs can bring major positive changes to your loved one's life. It's important to find the perfect senior living community to welcome your loved one.
For those in Sheboygan, that's going to be LakeHouse Sheboygan. We're one of Wisconsin's best retirement and assisted living communities, offering residents everything discussed here and more. Contact us today to schedule a tour and let us enhance your loved one's social life and happiness.