13 May The Importance of Social Connection In Senior Living Communities

 The Importance of Social Connection in Senior Living Communities

When a new person arrives at a retirement home, it can be very intimidating to be in a new place, with people they don’t know, in an unfamiliar environment. That’s why it’s important to have social connection in senior living community. Social connection in a senior living community is when we ensure that all or most of the residents can interact with each other, thereby forming bonds of friendship. It’s important to make the residents of these communities aware that they, and everyone else living in the community, are going through the same things and that they are there to support one another.

Why Social Interaction Matters for Seniors?

One of the biggest challenges for senior adults when they reach retirement age is changing their daily routine and accepting that they are now the ones who need care. Being in a new place without their family members, changing the way they used to live, can make them feel a little sad or frustrated; that’s why having someone to talk to, tell stories, or share anecdotes is important. An environment of belonging is ideal, since having moved from their homes, they may feel strange or like they don’t belong. Let’s remember that the important thing is that they need to be comfortable, that they need to feel loved and cared for, and that they are not a burden to their families. Social connections in senior living communities help them realize that this new place is their new home, that the people, both staff and other residents, are now part of their family, that their family has grown, and that they now have new friends with whom they can spend quality time. This way, they realize that they are not alone, and that there are more people who are going through the same thing and who can understand them perfectly.

How Isolation Impacts Mental and Physical Health?

When there is no social connection, people tend to isolate themselves, and this can lead to a depressive episode due to the lack of contact with other people, especially in older adults now living in a nursing home, as they are not only losing sight of their family, but also their belongings and routines. Isolation can cause not only melancholy and sadness, but, when present, it can also cause loss of appetite, anxiety, irritability, altered sleep patterns and increased sleep, insomnia, apathy, and even weight and muscle mass loss due to lack of nutrition and physical activity, as our beloved older adult will not want to leave their room. That is why we must look for activities that help them socialize and ensure emotional well-being in older adults.

How Casamar Fosters a Sense of Community?

CASAMAR Senior Living fosters a sense of community by engaging all residents in fun daily activities, not only exercising with the physical therapist, but also socializing with residents and staff. When we celebrate birthdays, whether it’s those of our beloved senior resdientes or the CASAMAR staff, we throw a party where everyone is invited, where we sing together to celebrate, eat cake, and chat.

Festivities, gatherings, and sitting with our beloved residents as they tell us their life stories are what help them build that sense of belonging, helping them realize they are at home, that they are not patients, but residents. That this house where they live is their home. And we are here to help them live more comfortably.

Activities That Encourage Bonding

Some activities that can help our seniors bond include board games, as these games usually involve more than two people and are a fun way to bond.

Watch movies together and, at the end, ask them what they thought, where everyone can share their favorite part.

Team exercises, such as playing volleyball with a beach ball, forming two or more teams with residents and staff.

Parties, get-togethers, or social gatherings, where it’s not necessarily a birthday party, but rather a gathering of friends, with snacks, a drink, music, and lots of conversation.

Real Resident Testimonials

“Now you’re my family too,” were the words of our resident Josephine when she saw the living room and dining room decorated with balloons and a Happy Birthday sign. Her face filled with excitement when she saw the cake and flowers, as her family members sat with her at the same table she shared with another resident. She introduced each of us as her friends and told her family about the activities she does with the staff. She had a huge smile on her face; she was receiving exactly what she’s always deserved: love. From both her family and the staff.

Josephine made sure we all ate the same dish as her, and she made sure everyone enjoyed a slice of cake, because she was having a party with her entire family—her old family and the new family she found here at CASAMAR.

Final Thoughts on Creating Stronger Social Circles

The benefits of a senior living community are that they can connect and make friends, find support from both the people who work there and the other residents, and feel they are not alone and are still loved and respected by others. It gives them a sense of purpose, joy, and the desire to continue doing activities. And, above all, new stories and experiences to share.