How Assisted Living Communities Help With Socialization amongst Elders

Many people don’t realize it, but loneliness has a major impact on the health of older adults. It’s noted to increase the risk of poor nutrition, depression, cognitive decline, and more.

Fortunately, there are a number of ways to combat loneliness in seniors; one of them is to shift to an assisted living community, which provides ample opportunity for socialization.

According to an article published at UC Berkeley, we lose our “social capital” as we age. This can be due to retirement, illnesses, family and friends moving away, and death. In this article, we’ll take a look at how assisted living communities help elders socialize.

Creates a Sense of Belonging and Purpose

The combined efforts of an active social life enhance the quality of life while adding more years to your loved one’s life. In the absence of company, aging adults become increasingly prone to cognitive decline as well as other symptoms of depression. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 7 million seniors in the United States are currently suffering from depression.

On the other hand, constant interaction with others is noted to reduce the risk of dementia and depression in older adults, according to an article published in the New York Times. In assisted living communities, there are regular programs scheduled to promote socializing amongst seniors.

Members are encouraged to go around and about and take part in group activities such as watching a sport or playing card games.

Improves Physical and Mental Health

Spending time with others and receiving acceptance is the key to raising self-confidence. Assisting living communities often take note of any skills its older members may possess and puts them in leadership roles such as teaching others how to use a computer, or how to play Sudoku. This instills a sense of value, increases happiness, and improves overall mental health.

Each year, there are a significant number of senior citizens that get injured due to falls. Being part of an assisted living community guarantees constant surveillance which in turn protects members from injuring themselves or receiving physical harm. In fact, the very act of socializing helps reduce physical pain, lowers blood pressure, and boosts the immune system, as stated by Psychology Today.

Leads to Better Nutrition

When living alone, seniors are more likely to ignore their health and suffer from malnutrition. With other members and caretakers around, older adults will adopt healthier diets which inevitably lead to better nutrition.

There’s no doubt that living in an assisted living community helps with socialization which leads to further benefits. AvantGarde Senior Living and Memory Care is a senior living community in Woodland Hills, CA, that’s home to a lively senior residents and provides ample socializing opportunities. Contact them today for more information.