Senior Living Communities and Mental Health
January 18th 2023
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 20% of people aged 60 and older experience some form of mental health concern. It is important to understand how senior living communities can improve mental health and how common mental health issues in seniors can be addressed in senior living communities.
Mental health disorders are not a standard part of aging. Seniors’ most common mental health concerns include depression, anxiety, and cognitive impairment. How can senior living help?
A senior living community can provide a renewed sense of purpose. Our lives are filled with many roles that we play (parents, siblings, children, friends, coworkers, etc.). Each of these roles provides us with a unique purpose. It is often easy for seniors to feel like they have lost this sense of purpose in their lives amidst the feeling of loneliness, isolation, and even the loss of independence.
Living in a senior living community helps create a supportive environment that can give seniors a renewed sense of purpose as they age. Senior living communities create opportunities for seniors to engage in activities that interest them and build friendships within their neighborhood at the community.
Finding a feeling of belonging. Just because the years of parenting and working have ended doesn’t mean seniors are no longer a part of something bigger. Senior living communities offer many opportunities for fun, socialization, companionship, and inclusion. A benefit of living in a community is the sense of belonging that seniors find.
Senior living communities offer support. Aging comes with side effects that can be difficult to deal with, including an impact on mental health. Senior living communities provide support for seniors struggling with their mental health, with a system that provides social support and professional support when needed.
There are plenty of opportunities for socialization and engagement with peers. As a senior adult, living alone can make it easy to slip into a routine that causes isolation which can become a mental health risk. It is normal to crave regular human interaction, and it should be a priority to have regular social engagements with your peers. This can be difficult when you live on your own.
In a senior living community, there are many opportunities for residents who share common interests to socialize. Grace Management, Inc. communities provide residents with shared meals and a calendar full of life enrichment activities. Socialization is built into senior living communities.
Find a sense of safety in your home. The idea of facing age-related physical and mental challenges can be intimidating and create anxiety around daily life functions. Seniors who live alone have an elevated risk that can give a cause for concern.
By curating safe and comfortable environments for residents, senior living communities help relieve this mental burden. In addition to providing transportation for residents, many senior living communities also offer support and assistance with daily activities, depending on the level of care needed. This can ease seniors’ mental stress and improve their quality of life.
At Grace Management, Inc., our communities work hard to support our residents and their mental health if you are interested in one of our communities, head over to the communities tab on our website to find one near you!