As we age, we must keep physically active to help our bodies remain healthy and strong and to assist with common age concerns such as chronic pain and other ailments. But what about our mental health?
Relationships and forming connections with others can significantly impact our overall wellbeing and mental health, and this is one of the main benefits we see in community living for seniors.
Being surrounded by others and living in a community contributes to our emotional happiness. It can help foster a sense of belonging, helping to keep isolation at bay and emotional engagement strong. In this article, we’ll explore some of the main benefits of community living for seniors, and how living in an environment such as a retirement village can improve all aspects of your life.
Why is Community Living for Seniors Important?
No matter how old you are, social isolation and loneliness can have a dramatic impact on both your physical and mental health. Studies have shown that loneliness and social isolation in older adults can increase the risk of conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, cognitive decline, depression, and Alzheimer’s disease.
This is where community living for seniors comes in, as, according to research, people who engage regularly in activities with others tend to be happier, have a sense of purpose and fulfilment, and live longer.
Living within a community can also help you feel more comfortable and safe. It allows you to retain your independence and privacy while being surrounded by a thriving community of peers just like you. Having a community around you can make it easier to make friends and connections.
Retirement communities offer a wealth of opportunities to not just enjoy your retirement years to the fullest but also have meaningful social interactions, thrive in a vibrant community, and take part in a variety of fun activities. All while remaining independent and having support on hand should you ever need it.
5 Benefits of Community Living
It’s no secret that living alone can make it hard to make friends. But living in a retirement community can also give you the support to help you thrive in your later years – all while retaining your independence and your own home.
Here are some of our favourite benefits you can expect when moving to a retirement village.
Supports Mental Health
Human beings are naturally social creatures and having strong social connections is one of our greatest features. They enrich our lives and give us the drive to accomplish things we might not be able to do on our own.
Statistics show that older people who actively engage in social activities and maintain strong social connections tend to experience better mental and emotional health. According to a study by Age UK, loneliness and isolation can contribute to a decline in overall well-being, leading to an increased risk of depression and other mental health issues among seniors.
Living in a retirement community provides a built-in support and social network thanks to a wide variety of shared communal spaces, activities, and group events. These services and facilities can help combat feelings of loneliness and promote an environment where older adults can build positive, lasting friendships.
Improves Physical Health and Wellbeing
It’s not just the social aspects of community living that make retirement villages so inviting, but the physical aspects too.
Regular exercise is important for maintaining mobility and preventing common age-related health concerns, as well as improving strength, balance, and cardiovascular health. Retirement and community living villages often offer a range of fitness programmes, physical activities, and events that are tailored to older adults’ individual needs.
These encourage residents to exercise and care for their physical health in a safe, supportive, and empathetic environment.
Learning New Skills
It’s never too late to discover a new passion. Retirement communities offer a range of exciting activities and events to try, from gardening and arts and crafts to wine tasting and book clubs.
Before retirement, hobbies might have been something you would have loved to pursue but never had the time. Being part of a community living environment is the perfect opportunity to try your hand at something new. Hobbies can add vibrancy to your daily life and introduce you to a new group of friends with similar interests, contributing significantly to your overall health, socialisation, and wellbeing.
Security and Safety
When moving to a community like a retirement village, one of the most important things to you might be to maintain your independence and privacy. While this is completely the case, with you owning your own home within the community, a major benefit is the peace of mind of knowing that support is always at hand.
Community living not only has 24/7 support available should you ever need it, but round-the-clock staff to provide security to ensure your home is safe and sound and your needs are always met.
You’ll always have the option to spend as much time as you want in your home, but having the security of support and staff just minutes away can provide you with the comfort you need. Just in case.
Fun and Enjoyment
While it’s important that we’ve covered the health and wellbeing benefits of community living for seniors, we shouldn’t overlook one of the most crucial benefits.
Community living is fun!
If you want to pop down to the restaurant or café and have a long lunch with friends, you can. If you want to try your hand at a new activity or exercise class, you can. If you want to arrange a trip to the cinema or dine out with friends and family at your favourite restaurant, you can.
There will always be someone in your community who you can ask to join you for a walk, a coffee, or to invite round to your home for dinner. Friends and family are the spice of life that makes life and activities so enjoyable, and there is no better opportunity to make friends with similar interests than through community or retirement living.
The possibilities are endless, and every day can look exactly how you want it to. This is your time, so do what you love and make the most of every moment.
Enjoy Community Living at Santhem
Community living for seniors offers a range of benefits that cater to both your physical and mental wellbeing. From fostering social connections to enhancing safety and security, community living can be a transformative and fulfilling lifestyle choice.
Retirement villages like Santhem Residences are designed to enrich and improve the lives of its residents. Life at Santhem makes day-to-day living fun, active, easy, and maintenance-free.
If you’d like to learn more about life at Santhem, and how you can embrace this next exciting chapter in your life, give our friendly team a call today. We’d love to answer any questions you might have and show you just how wonderful life at Santhem Residences is.