36 & June 2016 | Read this issue and more at www . healthandwellnessmagazine . net | Like us @ healthykentucky
MEMORY CARE
– COLUMN PROVIDED BY –
highgrove at TATES CREEK
4251 Saron Drive , Lexington , KY 859.245.0100 | HighgroveAtTatesCreek . com
A Social Senior is a Healthier Senior
How senior living communities contribute to overall wellness
by Lauren Ashley German , Highgrove at Tates Creek
Selecting a senior living community for yourself or a loved one can be a stressful and overwhelming process beginning with the initial decision to make a move . Perhaps you want the peace of mind that Mom is getting the nutrition and medication reminders she needs . Maybe lack of transportation is keeping Dad isolated and he is becoming withdrawn . Or , it could be that you just aren ’ t up to the yard work and maintenance that owning a home typically requires . Regardless of the primary reason for moving , it ’ s important for families and individuals to understand all the benefits that come from being in a community of like-minded individuals with programs , activities and environments specifically designed for older adults .
The National Wellness Institute identifies six dimensions of wellness that everyone needs to achieve a happier , heathier self :
Emotional – In order to thrive emotionally , individuals need a support network and engaging activities that seniors often lack when they are isolated from friends and family . Senior living communities provide an opportunity for residents to interact on a daily basis , allowing personal relationships to form which creates a support system outside of the family unit . And don ’ t underestimate the value of peer-to-peer bonding . Building interpersonal connections with others who share your challenges can help reduce symptoms of depression .
Physical – Regular physical activity can lead to significant health benefits in seniors , such as reduced risk of falling , stroke and heart disease . Wellness programs found in senior living communities may offer activities like yoga to help with balance , tai chi to improve coordination or gardening to provide strength training . Studies show that exercise does not have to be intensive in order to be beneficial , but indicate that moderate , daily activity is key to receiving maximum results .
Spiritual – Community life and worship is an important wellness component to many lives . Lack of transportation or mobility can keep seniors from attending their place of worship . Senior communities often have a chapel onsite with a chaplain to provide spiritual enrichment or may provide transportation to the resident ’ s own church , temple or synagogue .
Intellectual – Studies suggest that engaging in brain boosting activities do more than just keep your mind sharp . Keeping your brain active every day by exploring new hobbies , playing games or working puzzles may help you live longer and possibly reduce the risk of Alzheimer ’ s and other dementias . Senior living communities offer a wide-variety of on-campus and offcampus activities to help keep cognitive skills intact by creating an environment centered on lifelong learning .
Social – Socialization can improve both quality and length of life and staying socially connected grows increasingly difficult with age . Isolation due to living alone , having a small social network or lack of participation in social activities can have a direct impact on one ’ s health , increasing the likelihood of chronic health problems . Community dining like those found in senior living communities not only create opportunities for socialization , but also give seniors access to wellbalanced meals . A poor diet can lead to a weakened immune system , but communities provide the convenience of on-site dining with chef-prepared meals so it ’ s easier to eat well .
Occupational – The opportunity to stay engaged in the community while utilizing your unique set of skills is a crucial step to achieving overall wellness . Many senior living communities offer volunteer opportunities for their residents based on their interests and abilities . Seniors can get involved with local charities , host support groups or mentor children . Volunteerism is beneficial for seniors in a number of ways – not only does it have mental and physical benefits , but it also helps improve the perception of seniors in society .
The ability to achieve whole-person wellness is even more important for seniors experiencing memory loss . Many senior living communities offer memory care programs which provide specialized care for those living with Alzheimer ’ s or other forms
of dementia . These are often secured units staffed by caregivers who have training and experience working with residents living with memory impairment . In addition to all the benefits that come with living in a senior living community , memory care programs offer unique activities that are specifically designed to engage their residents which increases self-esteem . And not only is the nutrition that comes along with mealtime even more important to people with dementia , but studies show that the environment in which they eat is crucial as well . When residents have the opportunity to eat with their caregivers in a family-style setting , their eating and drinking habits improve .
The advantages of belonging to a senior living community are too important to ignore . Seniors who choose to live in communities designed with their interests and abilities in mind will be healthier , happier and will live longer . Combine that with the maintenancefree living , care and safety that senior residences offer and the decision to move into a community just became a whole lot easier .
Sources and Resources
• The Six Dimensions of Wellness http :// www . nationalwellness . org /? page = Six _ Dimensions
• Community Living : It ’ s Healthier http :// www . whereyoulivematters . org / community-living-its-healthier /
• Benefits of an Active Lifestyle on Health and Well-Being Later in Life http :// aging . wisc . edu / outreach / 2011 _ colloquium / Edwards2011 . pdf
• Social Disconnectedness , Perceived Isolation , and Health among Older Adults http :// www . ncbi . nlm . nih . gov / pmc / articles / PMC2756979 /
• Efficacy of Peer Support Interventions for Depression http :// www . ncbi . nlm . nih . gov / pubmed / 21353125
• 2016 Alzheimer ’ s Disease Facts and Figures http :// www . alz . org / documents _ custom / 2016-facts-and-figures . pdf
• Why Pleasant Mealtimes Could Be Key to Alzheimer ' s Care https :// consumer . healthday . com / senior-citizen-information-31 / dementia-news-738 / happy-meals-can-becritical-in-dementia-care-710689 . html
About the Author Lauren Ashley German is the Community Relations Director at Highgrove at Tates Creek , a premier senior living community opening fall of 2016 . Formally with the Alzheimer ’ s Association , Lauren Ashley has had the privilege of working with families across Kentucky dealing with all levels of dementia as well as the senior living communities that serve them . Lauren Ashley can be reached at 859-245-0100 or lagerman @ traditionsmgmt . net .