Gone are the days when moving to a senior living community meant giving up your beloved hobbies, lifestyle, and independence. In 2023, retirees will seek an assisted living experience that will empower them to live a healthy and active lifestyle. Seamlessly combining new technologies and innovative activities with traditional compassionate care, modern-day assisted living has shifted towards a holistic model of care – one that views every senior as the unique individual they are.
How is Senior Living Changing?
It’s no secret that the health and wellness industry will be booming in 2023. Today’s seniors are looking for assisted living communities that will help them enhance their physical health and nurture their mental well-being. Assisted living communities are taking notice of these changing priorities and adjusting the experience they offer accordingly. As we advance, you can expect a greater focus on ‘wellness culture’ in assisted living.
What is ‘Wellness Culture’?
An assisted living community focusing on wellness will offer its residents holistic care promoting mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. Additionally, wellness focuses on taking proactive measures to help seniors stay as healthy as possible. This approach can improve quality of life by preventing illnesses from developing in the first place rather than simply treating problems as they arise.
How do Assisted Living Communities Promote Wellness?
Being open to new technology. Innovative new technologies can significantly enhance the experience an assisted living community offers. Communities increasingly use technology to improve everything from residents’ physical health and safety to social connectedness and mental stimulation. For example, wearable technology can help prevent physical health issues by reducing falls and hospitalizations while providing vital insights into a senior’s health status and risk factors. Alternatively, an activity library offers tailored content for seniors to promote spiritual, physical, cognitive, social, and emotional wellness.
1. Promoting healthy behaviors.
Assisted living communities support residents in living well by encouraging healthy habits like physical activity, healthy eating, and stress management. Senior living facilities typically offer daily menus that are expertly nutritionally balanced to meet the dietary needs of both individuals and seniors in general. Assisted living communities often host various physical and mental health-focused classes for residents to enjoy. For example, a community may encourage physical movement by offering on-site exercise classes that suit multiple abilities, like aerobics, dancing, or chair yoga. Many modern-day assisted living facilities also host mindfulness and meditation sessions to foster feelings of calm and mental well-being among residents.
2. Focusing on community and socialization.
A strong social circle can make all the difference to a senior’s wellness. The benefits of staying social include a reduced risk of mental health issues like anxiety and depression, stress reduction, and improved self-esteem. Socializing can also offer valuable mental stimulation to slow cognitive decline and even reduce a senior’s risk of experiencing some physical health issues. For example, socializing paired with exercise could lead to lowered blood pressure and a reduced risk of arthritis or cardiovascular problems. In 2023, assisted living facilities will be more community oriented and social than ever, offering varied activities and great communal spaces for dining, relaxing, and hobbies.
3. Understanding and implementing preventative care.
Assisted living is no longer simply about meeting a resident’s basic needs and addressing problems as they arise. With attentive care supported by higher staff-to-resident ratios and modern technology, facilities can focus more keenly on prevention. For example, senior living communities may arrange regular health screenings for residents to help identify health issues early. Assisted living facilities also typically have excellent infection control procedures to prevent the spreading of illnesses like seasonal flu and COVID-19. With accessibly designed spaces, assisted living communities are also better equipped to avoid falls that could lead to hospitalization and other health risks down the line.
4. Offering social and emotional support.
In many modern assisted living communities, seniors can access all the physical, emotional, and social support they need to truly thrive in retirement. Some communities work with professionals dedicated to supporting the mental health of residents, while others have in-house life enrichment specialists to organize activities, encourage socialization, and build community spirit. Other facilities offer a great staff-to-resident ratio, giving caregivers the time to provide comprehensive physical and emotional support.
Wellness culture in assisted living allows seniors to view the transition to residential care as an exciting step towards enjoying their retirement to the fullest. With ever-improving care supported by new technologies, knowledgeable caregivers, and endless opportunities, today’s seniors can find the sense of holistic well-being they genuinely deserve.
This new focus on wellness culture in assisted living contributes to a more holistic model of care that focuses on supporting seniors’ physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. To find out how Argent Court incorporates wellness culture into our care, give us a call today to organize a personalized tour.