February 24, 2023
No matter our age, building relationships with others is fundamental in enriching our lives. Research has shown that people who enjoy healthy relationships, live longer and happier lives. Maintaining relationships as we age has numerous health benefits such as increasing our physical and mental health, increasing mental acuity, promoting laughter and more!
At The Kentridge Senior Living, I, as the Resident Services Director, play a pivotal role in helping to create opportunities for our residents to build relationships with their peers as well as helping to maintain these relationships through daily events. Oftentimes, aging adults are afraid of senior living settings. They see it as an end to their independence. Most fear being isolated from family and friends. One of the stigmas associated with senior living is, “I’m too young and active to be in senior living”. Therefore, many avoid it as an option all together. Unfortunately, this means they also lose out on the abundant opportunities to create new friendships and memories that this setting provides.
In our community, we have a group of residents who are professionals at welcoming new residents and helping them to feel at home as they settle in. We also ensure that new residents are invited to join all events, based on their preferences. Once our residents take advantage of these events, they often find themselves meeting new people or even connecting with old friends or neighbors. Through our daily events and programs, we often see close friendships form that continue. Residents begin having meals together or even take trips out of the community for shopping and family get-togethers.
It is my goal to help build and foster relationships, breaking the stigmas associated with senior living communities. Learning about residents before they move in is helpful in creating opportunities for them to continue their favorite hobbies, as well as share them with other residents. We have a very loving and welcoming community, and we all do our very best to make new residents feel at home. Our Kentridge residents really do look out for each other. When they share events and meals together, they become like family and it is a wonderful thing to witness. Encouraging our residents to come to events, finding out what new events they would like to see happen, and having a welcome committee are all great ways to get them socializing and building relationships.
By the time one is ready to think about moving into a senior living community, they surely have lived very full lives. Moving into a senior living community is in no way, shape, or form going to put a kibosh on that! It simply gives them the opportunity to downsize and to go into the future, still having fun, making new friends, having great experiences, but not having so much “stuff” to worry about. They get to enjoy freshly made meals without the dishes! They are privy to a great selection of activities to fill their days, while maintaining their independence to go and do things. The senior living community provides a sense of security and family. Medical staff is available if necessary, giving peace of mind, especially if one of a couple needs more care than the other.
Sources: https://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1000316
The KentRidge Senior Living in Kent, OH offers independent senior apartments, assisted living, and memory care with a variety of services and a range of floor plan options. Amenities include restaurant dining, 24-hour bistro, concierge service, housekeeping, events and entertainment, personal care, transportation services, and more. Centrally located near University Hospital Portage Medical Center with convenient access to major shopping centers and attractions, including Sunny Hill Golf & Recreation Inc, Stow-Kent Shopping Center, Kent State Univeristy Museum, The Portage Hike & Bike Trail, and Mad Cap Brewing Company.
