Many factors contribute to healthy aging, including staying physically, mentally, and socially active and eating nutritiously. Retirement communities support healthy aging by providing opportunities for residents to socialize with peers, participate in mentally stimulating activities, and engage in physical activities that build or maintain endurance, strength, flexibility, and balance. Participation in the arts and volunteer work also enhances and enriches residents’ health and well-being in their daily lives.
What is the life of the elderly?
Senior living is a common and old term that we use to describe living environments designed for the specific needs of older people. “Senior living allows them to continue to live and thrive in the safest, most appropriate environment based on their medical and physical abilities and limitations,” says Ben Mandelbaum, executive director of Senior Planning Services in Lakewood, NJ. Some examples of specialized care housing options and facilities for seniors include (but are not limited to):
- Residential communities for people 55 and older can live in separate apartments and usually have access to social activities and other facilities.
- Home care includes health care or supportive care from a professional caregiver in the senior living space.
- Assisted living facilities, such as those at Cavendish Manor Retirement Residence, are for those who may need assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as eating, dressing, or bathing, but not the type of intensive medical care that a nursing home provides. Sometimes assisted living facilities are part of retirement communities and other senior housing complexes.
- Nursing homes that offer more skilled nursing and medical care, such as Cavendish Manor Retirement Residence.
What is healthy aging?
Healthy aging is the ability to maintain an active, healthy, independent and purposeful life. “To stay independent, you need to be active at home,” says Stephen Kwaning, MD, a geriatrician with MetroHealth in Orlando, Florida. Such preventive behaviours include:
Taking medications to control chronic diseases
Exercising regularly
Eating a balanced diet
Minimizing alcohol consumption
Not smoking
Getting enough sleep at night
Staying socially active
All of which promote overall well-being. Chronic and progressive illnesses, such as diabetes and dementia, can affect activities of daily living and make it unsafe to stay at home. At this time, nursing home welfare options can come into play. “Living in a nursing home can provide many benefits for a care-dependent person, from taking care of daily activities to providing quality care and health services in the home,” says Kim Elliott, a chief nursing officer at Brookdale Senior Living in Brentwood, Tennessee. “One of the biggest aspects that help improve the quality of life for residents is the social aspect that senior living communities can provide.”
How to create a healthy aging plan
Aging is the most significant risk factor for incurable diseases and disabilities, so it is vital to develop a healthy and intelligent aging plan in advance. Therefore, we can prepare and support these loved ones to experience the best care and home environment during unexpected and severe health issues. By doing so, we can help them regain a valuable sense of control over their lives.
A healthy aging plan helps ensure a person’s ability to age safely and comfortably in the right environment—significantly as their needs change over time. This program may include medical and physical care, mental and social activities, engaging activities and affordable prices. It’s essential to create this plan early before you find yourself in urgent need of assisted care. Family members, caregivers, and other responsible parties should take the time to plan for the future with their loved ones and specifically involve them in creating this plan.
7 Ways Retirement Communities Promote Healthy Aging
Many factors influence healthy aging. Some of these, like genes, are not controlled by the individual. According to the National Institute on Aging, however, science has identified many other factors within your reach, such as staying physically, mentally, and socially active and eating nutritiously, that can significantly contribute to healthy aging.
Moving to and living in a retirement community, such as Cavendish Manor Retirement Residence, gives older adults easy access to diverse, enriching activities tailored to their interests, abilities, personal care needs, and nutritious meals in a community setting. Here are some ways retirement living can enhance your health and well-being:
Socialize with like-minded peers. According to a social science and medical study, older people who establish new social relationships and contacts have better physical and mental health. Other studies have linked social isolation and loneliness with high blood pressure, heart disease, immune system weakness, anxiety, depression and cognitive decline.
Keep your mind fit with a variety of suggested mental activities. A Mayo Clinic study published in Neurology reported that staying mentally active through activities such as bridge, chess, Scrabble games, reading, discussion groups, and lectures reduced the risk of dementia.
Stay in the community by participating in physical activity classes or using amenities like the pool and exercise equipment. Research shows that older adults benefit the most from four types of exercise: endurance, strength, balance, and flexibility.
A diverse list of recreational activities includes dancing, walking clubs, yoga, tai chi, stretching and relaxation, and Gentle exercise. These classes facilitate age-appropriate cross-training.
Enjoy delicious and nutritious food options to improve your mood. According to Harvard University, a healthy, balanced diet and avoiding processed foods that produce inflammation can protect against depression. A healthy diet can also reduce the risk of many chronic diseases, such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes, and help keep your brain healthy.
Participate in the arts. Participating in artistic activities such as singing, music, crafts, painting, drawing, creative writing, and photography positively affects seniors’ health, including memory, creativity levels, problem-solving skills, and reaction time, McMaster University. Reports.
Make a difference by helping others. Residents can take advantage of opportunities to volunteer in their local communities or the world at large, gaining a strong sense of meaning and purpose.
Benefit from personal care and support services if needed. A retirement community can provide the level of personal care and support that a resident may want or need. Family caregivers can be assured of quality care and support for their loved ones while having the time and space to look after their health and well-being.
At Cavendish Manor Retirement Residence, we offer a life-enriching program with extensive and quality recreational experiences that promote physical, social, emotional, intellectual, professional and spiritual health. Participating in these programs and experiences allows residents to pursue their interests and embrace opportunities to connect with like-minded people.
