Community Connection That Builds Belonging in Assisted Living
Community connection in Raleigh, NC, can enhance your mental, physical, and emotional wellness. You can maintain resident relationships through your local senior living community.
According to the National Institute on Aging, social isolation and loneliness can increase the risk of health issues in seniors. About 13.8 million people in the US live alone, putting them at risk.
Maintaining friendships can enhance your quality of life and health as you age in Raleigh, NC. How can you find opportunities for community connection in Raleigh before loneliness affects your health and longevity? Read on to find out!
How Common Is Social Isolation?
Social isolation is the lack of support, contact with, or connection with others.According to the CDC, about one in four US adults lacks social or emotional support.
Another one in three American adults feels lonely. Loneliness is the feeling of being disconnected from others. You can experience loneliness even when surrounded by friends and family members.
How Does Community Connection Help Seniors?
Social isolation and loneliness may increase your risk of:
- Dementia
- Alzheimer's disease
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Obesity
- Type 2 diabetes
- Early death
Community connection could potentially reduce your risk of these health issues. According to the National Institutes of Health, social participation reduces stress, depression, and loneliness in seniors.
Socializing may help reduce your risk of cognitive decline. Talking to other seniors can help neural pathways form, improving your cognitive acuity. Otherwise, loneliness can increase your risk of:
- Vascular dementia by 17%
- Alzheimer's disease by 14%
- Cognitive impairment by 12%
Consider moving into a senior living community that offers memory care. Brain exercises may further reduce your risk of cognitive decline. These may include:
- Trivia nights
- Book and movie clubs
- Puzzles
- Discussion groups
- Educational classes
- Continuing education courses
Socializing can also benefit your physical health. Your friends may encourage you to make healthier decisions. You can participate in regular exercise classes together, which may help:
- Boost your mood
- Prevent chronic health conditions
- Ease anxiety and depression symptoms
- Boost your immune system
- Improve your balance
- Prevent bone loss
- Improve your strength
- Improve your heart health
- Improve relaxation and sleep
- Ease osteoarthritis stiffness and pain
How to Foster Resident Relationships
Finding opportunities for connection in care can enhance your overall well-being. Here are a few ways you can improve your social wellness through group interaction in assisted living communities like Morningside of Raleigh.
Join a Club
Check your senior community's events and activities calendar for clubs, such as:
- Gardening club
- Art classes
- Pet therapy
- Cooking classes
- Game clubs
- Book clubs
- Movie clubs
- Quilting, knitting, or crocheting circles
- Birdwatching groups
- Game clubs
Joining a club can give you a recurring chance to connect with other seniors. You can also expand your skill set, which can improve your cognitive health.
Try exploring a range of activities. You can connect with seniors who share your interests and passions.
Volunteer
Consider volunteering to make a positive impact within the Raleigh community. Look for volunteer opportunities through:
- Local charities or groups (like Meals on Wheels)
- Schools (which may need tutors)
- Local hospitals
- Your senior living community
Volunteering can help you meet other seniors who share your values. It's also an opportunity to give back to the community, which can give you a sense of purpose and belonging.
Be Vulnerable
Consider joining a support group if you're struggling with grief or a chronic illness. You can connect with other seniors who understand what you're experiencing. They can provide a shoulder to lean on, which may improve your emotional health and resilience.
Try to remain open and vulnerable. Opening up can help you forge strong emotional connections with other seniors. If you're nervous, try:
- Fighting negative thoughts
- Putting yourself out there
- Celebrating the fact that you showed up
- Not putting pressure on yourself
- Setting goals for socializing
- Preparing a list of icebreaker questions
- Practicing in the mirror
- Following up to maintain friendships
Remember, other seniors likely feel just as nervous as you do. Be kind and patient with yourself.
Join an Exercise Class
You can find exercise classes through your senior living community's fitness program, such as:
- Pilates
- Yoga or chair yoga
- Tai chi
- Resistance band exercises
- Weight lifting
Joining an exercise class gives you the chance to meet up with the same seniors regularly. Working out with friends can also:
- Make it fun and exciting
- Encourage you to exercise regularly
- Ensure safety
- Help you discover new exercises and techniques
- Encourage you to work harder
- Help you accomplish workout goals
Frequently Asked Questions
Where Do Seniors Go to Meet Other Seniors?
Outside of your local senior living community, you can find opportunities to meet other seniors in Raleigh through:
- Organized trips
- Potlucks
- Dance likes
- Events at your local library
- Community centers
- Fitness classes and yoga studios
- Art workshops
- Educational seminars at community colleges
Explore your senior living community's events and activities calendar. Attend a variety of local events to meet new friends who share your interests.
What Are the Risk Factors of Social Isolation?
Some health conditions and lifestyle factors that may increase your risk of social isolation and loneliness include:
- Facing a divorce
- Navigating the death of a spouse or loved one
- Having limited access to transportation
- Living in a rural area
- Struggle with a chronic health condition or long-term disability
- Having a depressive or psychiatric condition
- Being marginalized or discriminated against
Adults who live alone and older adults are at a higher risk of social isolation and loneliness.If you experience these risk factors, reach out to your Raleigh community. Maintaining resident relationships within your senior living community may help reduce your risk of health complications.
Discover Senior Engagement in Raleigh
Maintaining resident relationships can benefit your mood, quality of life, and longevity. You can find opportunities for community connection through your Raleigh senior living community.
Morningside of Raleigh offers six exclusive lifestyle programs to enhance the senior living experience. Discover delicious chef-prepared meals through Sensations Dining, games and live performances through Celebrations Events & Activities, and yoga classes or physical therapy through Dimensions Health & Wellness. Contact us now to schedule your tour.