Memories are the substance of a life well-lived. Memories are portrayed through musical lyrics, movies, short stories, and many biographical sketches. It is an important part of life. Memories are stored through images, pictures, and digital devices. They are powerful reminders of highlights and struggles; as well as significant reflections of the past and often predictors of the future. Memory is an important function for proper cognitive function. Seniors may often find themselves frustrated at the decline in memory that keeps them from being able to interact at peak social levels. This frustration can lead to isolation and withdrawal from others. Many studies have been done to determine the physiological and psychological effects of cognitive decline on overall health and wellness.
According to the National Library of Medicine, The research results showed that both social isolation and loneliness were associated with poor cognition in ageing, with depression as a possible mediator between loneliness and poor cognition.
The research indicates a correlation between cognitive decline and poor overall health. According to Cacioppo and Hawkley,”health, life and genetic legacy of members of social species are threatened when they find themselves isolated (see Cacioppo and Hawkley, 2009 for a review). During the COVID-19 lockdown, for example, we experienced social isolation, and many people suffered the consequences of loneliness. ” Long lasting effects from lockdowns are still being felt in the senior living industry. However, evidence shows that the human spirit is very resilient. Wellness directors are the agents that
can offer hope and healing through the services they provide.
Many residents of senior care living facilities thrive in activity settings that are vibrant and diverse. Wellness programs built on physical, social, emotional, spiritual, intellectual, and occupational dimensions supply a plethora of activities that are beneficial to combat isolation and promote well-being. This stimulates memories from the past and connects to present and future feelings of joy and satisfaction. Often times physical and emotional discomfort bring the natural tendency to isolate and avoid social relationships. The benefits of Lifetime Wellness, Ltd. are far reaching in a community of seniors that are experiencing decline in cognitive capacity and function.
The more immersed in a community—with social connections—the happier, and healthier, people are. Friends tend to act as our social support and are conditional indicators for health quality.
Wellness is a lifestyle that many seniors desire to continue enjoying. Memories made today or from the past are worth celebrating! Lifetime Wellness, Ltd. would be happy to help you continue to grow and thrive in each season of life. We exist to help you age successfully! Let’s get started with a thriving activity culture in your senior living facility today! Precious memories are waiting to be made!
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9995915/
Successful aging is demonstrated through purposeful engagement with others. According to the research by the Mathers Institute, “Older adults who have a higher sense of purpose live happier, healthier, and longer lives.” Lifetime Wellness offers programming to enhance culture while encouraging senior living residents to build meaningful and lasting relationships through highly engaging activities. Intentional programming that will promote social interactions of senior daily living is often the more successful.
Research proves that the relational quality of the senior adult paves the way for a positive mental and emotional healthy person.
Initiatives driven to engage family and friend interactions are some of the best practices for staff. lifetimewellness.com welcomes the opportunity to serve YOU through a variety of packages designed to meet the needs of YOUR community.
Connect the Dots
Relationships among senior living residents are not unlike other age groups living in community. There are common interests and connections that can be formed through various events and gatherings. This creates bonding experiences that uplift and empower beautiful friendships. However, there will be occasional conflict and negative interactions that can precipitate negative emotions. Monitoring the relationships between staff and resident, as well as resident to resident is crucial to the emotional health of the senior.
The Great Divide
Fractures that can often occur between these relationships can deteriorate well being and overall wellness. An awareness of the mood and emotions of the senior can alert the wellness staff to serve as the advocate for everyone involved. If negative interactions occur, this can disrupt purpose in the lives of seniors. This can lead to an overall lack of joy and happiness in the culture of the environment. A consistent measurement of the pulse of the residents through activity engagement can give valuable insight into the relational joys and strains of community living.
A turnkey approach for wellness staffing made possible through www.lifetimewellness.com team members can lead to positive and healthy relationship building.
The Proof is in the Research
A recent study was conducted with 106 older adults in Zurich, Switzerland, with up to 15 daily measurement occasions per participant. Participants reported on the quality of their most recent social interactions every morning, afternoon, and evening, and on their sense of purpose every evening. They did this for five weekdays. At six and twelve months later, they repeated the process for the same length of time. The researchers then evaluated whether having more positive or negative social interactions each day predicted how purposeful a participant felt on that same day.”
The study offers three primary findings:
- People who had better social interactions generally had a stronger sense of purpose.
- On days in which an individual had worse social interactions than usual, they felt less purposeful than usual, and on days in which they had better social interactions than usual, they felt more purposeful.
- The association between daily positive social interactions and daily sense of purpose differed based on whether an older adult was employed or retired.
- This research proves the validity of excellence in programming for activities within skilled and assisted living communities.
Aging successfully requires more than one component. Holistic wellness has several dimensions. The program offerings through www.lifetimewellness.com are research based. The residents will find purpose and meaning while rediscovering their passion throughout the layers of wellness curriculum. Make an appointment with our team today to help your community be the best version it can be!
Relationships are vital to societal well being. Can you imagine life without close friends and family? Connections are vital to the components of overall wellness. There is a plethora of research to be consumed in this arena. A recent article summed up social wellness in a simplistic, yet powerful way.
“It is the ability to make meaningful connections with others – as a family, as a society, and as a community. Social wellness is the ability to care for others while we take good care of ourselves. Relationships we form with those around us can greatly impact the quality of our lives. https://lifecares.org/life-cares/social-wellness
The recent effects of isolation in senior living care centers have caused a surge in the concern for overall wellness. Seniors often experience the detrimental effects of diminished social wellness. Several studies have indicated that mortality rates are linked to positive social connectedness. A component of www.lifetimewellness.com is to provide resources that uplift and encourage our seniors. Aging successfully is accomplished through a variety of social wellness initiatives that are threaded throughout our outstanding curriculum. These resources are created by professionals that understand the need for complete wellness programming.
Did You Know?
- 1 in 4 adults age 65 and older are socially isolated? A lack of regular interaction with others can affect your health and well-being.
- Feeling lonely and being isolated can be bad for your health.
- Loneliness and social isolation have been associated with higher rates of depression, a weakened immune system, heart disease, and dementia.
- Older adults are at higher risk for social isolation and loneliness due to changes in health and social connections, such as memory loss and/or the loss of family and friends. http://bit.ly/3qiBQ4J.
Social isolation can have devastating effects on all ages. Intentional steps to build the social and emotional dimensions of health are critical to combatting the ill effects of social disconnect. There are many helpful tips that will increase connections with others. The following are just a few, among many!
- Treating everyone with dignity and respect
- Being self-aware
- Taking good care of oneself both physically and mentally
- Nurturing one’s relationships
- Empathizing with others and their situations
- Eating healthy
- Doing what is necessary to stay fit
- Being able to ask for help when needed
- Spending quality time with your loved ones
- Belonging to a community
- Maintaining a healthy work-home-life balance
- Creating a good network of supportive friends
- Checking in with your friends and family as often as possible
- Being able to invest in yourself as much as you invest in others
- Being kind to yourself
The quality of our lives can be maintained with purposeful focus on health and wellness. Pharmacological methods are necessary for many areas of improved health. However, social wellness can improve cardiovascular health, by maintaining proper levels of blood pressure. Stressors from poor social health can increase hypertensive responses. Seniors who build and maintain relationships are often at less risk for depression, as social isolation tends to be one of the key factors leading to depression in older adults. Chronic conditions and diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s disease and even some cancers are noticeably reduced in seniors who participate in social activities. Studies reveal that seniors who are lonely tend to have elevated levels of proteins associated with inflammation and poor immune systems, while the immune system tends to be stronger in seniors who have strong social connections.
The benefits of social wellness are far reaching. We were made for relationships! Reach out and make connections. Today is a great day to make a new friend, or have lunch with an old friend. Seek out those opportunities to give to others. It truly will make a difference in a life! Lifetime Wellness strives to enhance the capacity to age well in every area of whole person wellness.