How Seniors Can Find Joy in Assisted Living Through Activity and Community

By Kimberly Hayes
Chief Blogger

 

 

 

 

 

Life is full of changes — some we make willingly. For many seniors, making a move to assisted living is a change they often feel is out of their control. What seniors and their loved ones don’t always realize is that you have more control over this move than you think. From finding a center that’s a perfect fit for you, to meeting new people and discovering new passions, this next chapter is full of potential for joy and fulfillment in life.

 

Finding the Place Where You Belong

 

When you think of assisted living, the first thing that usually comes to mind is the stereotypical, institutional setting. The reality is that assisted living has much more to offer seniors these days, but you have to be mindful of finding the right one. Some of the most basic factors to consider are location, size, and essential services. Even these basic factors can make a big difference in your experience. For example, a smaller center may deliver more personal, one-on-one attention, whereas a larger center may have more amenities.

 

Whether you’re just now searching for an assisted living center or you’ve already moved, don’t underestimate the importance of services and amenities. One thing to keep in mind is that the amenities offered tend to impact the cost of assisted living. The cost of these communities can vary widely, with an average anywhere between $1,500 to $7,848 per month in Plano.

 

Staying Active and Engaged

 

Of course, cost is only one of many factors to consider, and a truly great center will offer more than just help with everyday care. Money Crashers explains that one of the main benefits of assisted living is that it provides much more engagement than most seniors can get at their own homes, including intellectual, physical, and social activities. These activities can be group events, fitness programs, book clubs, and crafting.

 

Being part of a community that is so active makes it easier for residents to meet new people, which is essential for fighting off the loneliness and depression that are problematic for many seniors. Along with social engagement, being involved in activities give meaning to life — the Huffington Post spotlights an 86-year-old man who learned to knit so he could make hats for premature babies! A thriving assisted living community is a place where like-minded seniors can come together to learn and enjoy old hobbies while also discovering new ones.

 

Creating the Comforts of Home

 

One of the best things you can do to make the best of assisted living is to recreate the comforts of home. Even the very best assisted living centers feel strange at first, but decorating and arranging your space can make a world of difference. Start by browsing your favorite magazines or websites for ideas to decorate a small space. We love Country Living’s idea to use mounted wall shelves for displaying photos and storing books. Whichever ideas stand out to you, focusing a little on decorating makes your space functional while also making it feel like you.

 

Keeping your favorite, familiar items around will make your space feel like home, but it’s also fun to shop for new items to spruce things up. This mix of old and new will give you a sense of familiarity while at the same time embracing new changes. We also love the idea of creating a space for entertaining. Even in a small space, making room for friends and family to visit is another way to stay socially engaged and fight off isolation.

 

Experiencing depression and loneliness is all too common for seniors. However, these problems are most common when seniors are isolated. One of the best things about finding the right assisted living center is that you can access resources to take your life back! Every new change takes time, and the transition isn’t always easy. However, seniors and their loved ones can take comfort in knowing the great potential not just for surviving but for thriving in assisted living.

 

Image via Pixabay

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Dr. Amber Quaranta-Leech, LPC-S

Amber holds a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from Regent University. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in both Texas and Oklahoma and holds Supervisor credential for Texas. Amber is an EMDRIA consultant and trainer. She has over a decade of experience in the trauma field in work with uniformed services, domestic violence, childhood trauma and abuse, and recent mass trauma events. Amber provides consultation for EMDRIA certification, for consultants-in-training, and supervision for LPC-Associates. Amber continues to research the benefits of EMDR therapy with a variety of populations. Her goal is to help build strong clinicians who are well versed in trauma interventions to better support their clients. Amber sees a limited number of clients with a focus on trauma work, she is also a Certified Career Counselor and Certified through EAGALA to provide equine-assisted therapy. 

Dr. Jose Carbajal, LCSW

Dr. Jose Carbajal, a U.S. Army veteran, earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work and a master’s in theological studies from Baylor University, and a Ph.D. in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington. With over 15 years of clinical experience and extensive teaching experience, Jose specializes in trauma, sexual abuse recovery, domestic violence, and substance abuse. His research focuses on trauma interventions, neuroscience, and faith. He is EMDR Certified, an Approved Consultant, and an EMDRIA Approved Trainer, with numerous publications and professional presentations to his name.

Dr. Amanda Martin, LMFT-S, LPC, BCN

Amanda Martin holds a PhD in Family Therapy and is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Supervisor, and EMDRIA Approved Consultant. With over 14 years of experience, she specializes in trauma therapy for individuals and families in residential and outpatient settings. Amanda also provides supervision for EMDR certification, EMDR consultants-in-training, and LMFT-Associates. Her mission is to help people find a healthy, joyful, and fulfilling path in life. Her warm, supportive, and interactive counseling style incorporates Symbolic Experiential Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, EMDR, HeartMath, Animal-Assisted Therapy, Neurofeedback, and Collaborative Problem Solving.

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