For a variety of reasons (see our blog on Retreat), encouraging greater engagement and building connection among residents in their community requires patience. It often requires a gradual process of trust-building and relationship-building activities on the part of staff. Recognizing the many barriers that reluctant and avoidant residents may face, efforts to build the trust […]
As new residents move in and become part of the new community, increasing engagement is a deciding factor in their successful adjustment. Following are several steps to facilitate a smooth transition: Introducing any and all of these approaches will help develop a better sense of connection to the programs. Increasing engagement for new residents is […]
Relocation stress syndrome may occur in older adults following an abrupt change in living arrangement. It may develop following a traumatic event such as the sudden loss of a spouse or serious injury. However, the range of possible symptoms may escalate to a more serious disruption in one’s physical and mental health. In this case, […]
There are many factors to consider when trying to understand a resident’s reluctance to engage in community activities. This article presents many reasons why residents may isolate in their community settings. Some reasons may relate to the feelings of loss of the former residence and friendships, while others may relate to the person’s own personal […]
To better understand the challenges of increasing resident engagement in senior living communities, it will help to shed light on different theories of the “normal” aging process. These are Activity Theory and Disengagement Theory, and an extension of Activity, Continuity Theory. Of course, Activity and Disengagement are relatively in opposition to one another. However, they […]
In this Living to 100 Club Podcast, we explore the challenges of making important, difficult decisions about our future well-being, and who can help with these decisions. Our topic is “Health and Wealth: How to Make Them Last. And our guest is Melinda Kruse DiPerna, a Broker-Associate Realtor. We first explore major, life-threatening decisions that […]
Social engagement plays a critical role in a favorable aging process. It is a key step to maintaining psychological well-being. Staying connected with others minimizes the risk of retreat, isolation, loneliness, and depression. The Covid-19 epidemic definitely threw a wrench into the social activities of millions around the world, and was especially devastating for the […]
As we are living longer and staying healthier into our 70’s, 80’s and 90’s, the question arises about the merits of marrying later in life, or re-marrying in our senior years. As reported in Time magazine, older adults are pairing up in unprecedented numbers, and in ways that are not traditional. Here are some benefits: […]
The world’s population is increasing at an exponential rate. It is estimated that 21% of the population will be 60+ by 2050. And longer life expectancy and healthier lifestyles will contribute to more seniors being available to remain in or re-enter the workforce. Reskilling older adults has many upsides but many barriers to overcome, as […]
The loss of a loved one is the most stressful event in our lives. As we all know, when the death of someone close to us takes place, we experience a range of emotions. Dealing with grief triggers feelings of denial, anger, guilt, shock, sadness, and despair, among others. A noted Swiss-American psychiatrist, Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, […]
