How Seniors Living Communities Reduce Loneliness

Did you find yourself feeling unusually lonely over the holiday season? Or perhaps noticed a loved one experiencing loneliness? For many, the holidays can be a revealing time as you begin to notice just how much you, or your parents, have changed since the last visit.

Rather than dismissing the signs of loneliness, it’s important to reflect on your (or your loved one’s) current living situation and have open conversations about the future. Helpful questions include:

1. Are you still comfortable living on your own?
2. Are you experiencing any loneliness?
3. Are there any safety hazards in the home?
4. Are you interested in moving to a seniors living community?

How does loneliness affect seniors?

Research shows that a significant portion of seniors experience isolation or loneliness, which can contribute to poor health and reduced wellbeing*. Feeling lonely is difficult at any time of the year, but the feeling is often particularly acute for seniors during holidays seasons, like Christmas or Thanksgiving. You may have recently lost your spouse, or geographical distance hinders family visits. Auditory or sensory impairments can also contribute to a sense of loneliness. For seniors accustomed to living independently, it can be difficult to come to terms with these areas of need.

Many older adults want to avoid burdening family members, yet there may be a very real need for community and additional support. Cognitive challenges such as memory loss, or physical changes such as impaired hearing, only add to a sense of isolation and loneliness.

What are the benefits of living in a community for seniors?

One of the most important things to maintain for seniors is a sense of community, and many have found this need satisfied at Elim Village Garrison Crossing. The new Hawthorn building brings everything together, all in one place. There are so many opportunities to meet others with similar backgrounds and life experiences. There is choice for residents, such as choosing from a delicious array of meal options every day, as well as wellness opportunities in a safe and secure environment.

Living in a seniors living community, like Elim Village, allows older adults to connect with others, while also having important supports available should they be needed. At The Hawthorn, residents enjoy meals socially, and develop friendships with neighbours who live just down the hall. “At Elim, neighbours care about neighbours and staff care about residents,” shares Marian Heemskerk, the Director of Community Life at Elim Village.

If you or your loved one still live on your own, you may be experiencing fatigue or anxiety over the work required to maintain a home. Whether it’s yard work, getting groceries, or basic household repairs, these can become daunting and exhausting tasks. This problem is solved by moving into a seniors living community; older adults can have their own independent suite without the stress of maintaining it. If the fridge isn’t working properly, a simple phone call will alert the facilities staff, and they’ll take care of it. That’s what we do at Elim Village. We ensure the right supports are available, and an appropriate amount of convenience is in place to free you up to focus on the things that matter most, to you.

Plan Ahead, Tour Elim Village Today

Did you know that 10% of Elim residents feel they should have moved to Elim sooner than they did? Residents realize that the lifestyle made possible at our retirement communities improves their quality of life, and we wish the same for you or your loved one. Call us today to book a tour, to see if Elim Village Garrison Crossing is the right place to call home.

To book a tour, call 604-769-0022 or email garrisoncrossing@elimvillage.com

For more information, including floor plans, check out The Hawthorn here. Find us on Facebook here or stay up-to-date by subscribing to our mailing list here.

*National Seniors Council. (2017). Who’s at risk and what can be done about it? A review of hte literature on the social isolation of different groups of seniors

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