More Than Just Fun and Games: Independent Living and The Benefits of Community
For many seniors, the thought of moving to an independent living community evokes images of happy hours, card clubs, social events, and calendars chock-full of fun activities. While senior living offers many opportunities for engagement, its greatest benefit is not just fun and games, but a true community of friends with whom you can share those experiences.
Nourishing meaningful connections with other people has a significant impact on a senior’s health and well-being. Cultivating relationships and new social bonds, however, can become increasingly challenging as we age. Health complications, mobility issues, lack of transportation, and the loss of loved ones can cause seniors to become isolated from their family, friends, and neighbors — especially for those who live alone.
In this article, we’ll examine the health impacts of loneliness among seniors and explore the benefits of community for those who choose an independent living move.
Quick Navigation
• What puts seniors at a higher risk of loneliness?
• Health impacts of loneliness.
• Defining and seeking out community.
• The benefits of community for seniors.
Why Are Seniors at High Risk of Loneliness?
While the ongoing loneliness epidemic can affect anyone, there are a number of factors that increase the risk of loneliness among seniors. Chronic and emerging health problems, car-centric infrastructure, job-based social circles, aging children, fear of falls, and reduced physical ability can all weaken bonds seniors formed in their early and middle adulthood.
Some of the barriers seniors face are a natural part of the aging process, while others are influenced by societal structures and norms. The World Health Organization (WHO), notes that one in six people experience loneliness worldwide. Seniors, even those who enjoy an active lifestyle, are often at risk, with an estimated 11.8% of older adults experiencing loneliness. These risk factors can include, but aren’t limited to:
• Major life changes, such as retirement or the loss of a loved one.
• Changes in family and social dynamics.
• Chronic health issues that make it difficult to leave the house.
• Loss of the ability to drive or lack of transportation.
• Memory loss and other cognitive or psychological challenges.
• Living alone or being physically isolated.
• Vision and hearing impairments.
• Loss of mobility or increased fall risk.
• Lack of social support.
• Difficulty leaving home without assistance.
Health Impacts of Loneliness
Loneliness can impact more than just an older adult’s mental and emotional health. Emotional pain can activate a stress response in the body, much like physical pain. Over time, chronic inflammation can develop, damaging tissues and immune response, and increasing your vulnerability to disease.
Seniors who experience loneliness face increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, depression, anxiety, and even cognitive decline. Loneliness and isolation can also put older adults at risk of longer hospital stays, more frequent readmissions, more emergency room visits, and higher rates of early mortality.
Managing loneliness and isolation can make it more difficult for seniors to complete essential tasks such as cooking, taking medication, and paying bills, adding an extra layer of concern for older adults who live alone. This can quickly become a safety hazard and increase the risk of further harm.
What Is Community?
Everyone has their own definition of the word community, but not everyone knows what it feels like to be part of a community or how to seek one out. Community, at its heart, is about a sense of belonging. Your community can be your family, a hobby group, your neighborhood, your faith community, your town or city, or any other place or group where you feel welcome and accepted.
Seeking out community can be difficult if you’re unsure where to begin. For older adults, senior centers and senior living communities are great resources to lean on. Senior centers offer seniors a medley of essential services, from volunteer programs to transportation, which keep them connected to their local and broader communities.
Independent living and other senior living communities offer a natural community setting where seniors are surrounded by fellow residents, staff, guests, and others. Full calendars of activities and opportunities to socialize create a welcoming atmosphere where seniors can feel at home.
In many communities, access to supportive care and the convenience of a maintenance-free lifestyle can also relieve caregivers of their many responsibilities, bringing the focus of family visits back to enjoying time together.
The Benefits of Community For Seniors
While the aging process may increase seniors' risk of social isolation and loneliness, older adults can still experience the benefits of community and meaningful relationships at any age. By seeking out community spaces, such as social living in an independent living community, they can enjoy daily opportunities for connection, a network of staff to rely on, and the camaraderie of friends just steps away from their front door.
After transitioning to a senior living lifestyle, independent living residents enjoy the benefits of community in various ways:
Mental and physical health benefits. Staving off the many negative health effects of loneliness contributes to a healthier, happier life. Studies have repeatedly shown that the experience of community really can be the best medicine!
Many residents find that they adopt healthier eating habits, maintain an active fitness regimen, become more intentional with self-care, manage their medication more diligently, and achieve their wellness goals with greater ease after moving to a community. With a wealth of resources, programs, and peer support at their disposal, they have accountability and encouragement to live a healthier lifestyle.
A sense of belonging and purpose. Community reminds us that we are all part of something bigger than ourselves. Feeling a lack of purpose or opportunity to contribute later in life, especially after leaving a career, can be common amid changes in our daily routines.
The list below offers a look at just some of the ways independent living residents can get involved and connected within the community:
• Join groups and clubs of interest (book club, hobby groups, etc.).
• Volunteer within the community or connect with a faith or community organization.
• Attend outings, events, and weekly gatherings.
• Facilitate or lead programs for fellow residents, such as a weekly fitness class, discussion group, community project, or brunch outing with friends.
• Serve within the community on a resident council or other board.
Increased safety. Seniors who live alone face serious health and safety risks, including injuries from falls, unsafe medication management, limited accessibility throughout the home, unhealthy nutrition habits, higher rates of social isolation, and household accidents. While these risks can affect seniors at all levels of independence, they are especially likely to affect seniors who require assistance with daily living activities or are in poor health. Staying connected to a community ensures there are people who look out for you and can step in to help when needed.
For independent living residents, having a team of staff available to handle maintenance needs, transportation issues, housekeeping, and dining tasks relieves the pressure of managing these tasks on your own. This option creates a safer living environment for those who are tempted to fix everything themselves or get impatient waiting for a family member to intervene. Being able to contact a team member at the front desk or concierge with any questions offers seniors immeasurable peace of mind at nearly any time of day.
Support through loss and hardships. Sadly, coping with loss is a large part of older adulthood. Seniors may experience the death of a spouse, the deaths of friends and family members, the loss of mobility or memory, the loss of a long-time home, or unfulfilled dreams. Having a support system to lean on can’t take away the grief, but it can certainly make it easier to navigate and heal.
Missing a sense of community or connection in your life? If you or your loved one could benefit from the relationship-centered lifestyle of an independent living or assisted living community, start the conversation today!
Cardinal Bay senior living experts can provide the guidance you need as you support your senior loved one. Connect with a member of our team or schedule a visit to one of our Central Texas or Oklahoma senior living communities. Or, subscribe to our blog to explore free, insightful resources dedicated to helping seniors and their caregivers—for all your future conversations!