Ever wished there was a place your loved one could go to elevate their lifestyle, form strong social connections, pursue new hobbies, and absorb the splendor of nature in their retirement? In 2024, that place exists.
Many seniors’ express concerns about moving to a dedicated senior living community. While some worry about losing touch with family caregivers or losing their freedom and independence, others are concerned about the financial aspects of senior care. Sometimes, they may feel daunted about not knowing what to expect from such a significant change.
But in 2024, residential assisted living is very different from the stereotypes. A great senior living community will support seniors to live more freely while empowering them to continue learning, thriving, and achieving. The end of the year is a popular time to reflect and decide on new goals and aspirations. And after spending more time together during the holidays, it’s also a typical season for family caregivers to notice changes in a senior loved one’s needs.
Here’s how the right senior care community can help retirees achieve some of the most popular New Year’s resolution themes for 2024, as reported by Forbes Health.
The Goal: Get Physically Fitter
Exercise and rest are both crucial for maintaining peak physical health and fitness. In residential assisted living communities, seniors can access on-site exercise groups to suit a range of abilities and comfortable bedrooms and relaxing living spaces to promote rest and recovery.
In addition to offering regular group exercise classes catered to seniors (e.g., gentle yoga), New Hope Senior Living residents have access to 18 acres of lush green land. Many of our residents enjoy taking daily walks to boost their cardiovascular fitness and strength while nurturing their mental well-being outdoors.
The Goal: Improve Finances
It’s a common myth that senior care is inherently expensive. In fact, residential assisted living can be much more cost-effective in some cases than remaining at home. Seniors in assisted living have access to 24/7 support from professional caregivers, daily meals and snacks, recreational activities, social events, and more. In many communities, amenities like housekeeping, laundry, Wi-Fi, and cable are also included in fees or available at a small additional charge.
With fewer utility bills to cover and no need to shop for food, make home adaptations, or hire a home health service, senior living is an incredibly cost-effective option. In fact, according to The Texas Assisted Living Association (TALA), the average monthly cost of a 24/7 home health aide is $19,656 – over $15k more than assisted living.
The Goal: Boost Mental Health
Mental health conditions are common among over-sixties in the US, with around 14% living with a mental health disorder like depression or anxiety according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Additionally, the WHO reported that grief, as well as common senior health issues like hearing loss, poor vision, and reduced mobility, can all lead to social isolation, a key risk factor for poor senior mental health.
Modern-day residential assisted living communities like New Hope Senior Living understand the importance of providing an experience that nurtures holistic well-being in mind, body, and spirit. 24/7 support with activities of daily living (ADLs) like bathing, dressing, and grooming helps seniors in residential assisted living feel empowered and confident to remain social and engage in hobbies and activities. Many of the activities offered in senior care are highly social, allowing residents to connect and form strong friendships.
How New Hope Senior Living Promotes Senior Mental Health:
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- Offering therapeutic and mindful activities like pet therapy and yoga.
- Encouraging residents to enjoy social mealtimes around the dinner table with friends.
- Maintaining 18-acres of beautiful grounds encourages residents to connect with nature, meditate, read, and socialize with friends within the peaceful outdoors.
- Providing nutritionally balanced meals with vitamins and minerals (e.g., vitamins B1, B12, C, and D) may support good mental health.
- Having expertly trained caregivers available 24/7 to provide both practical and emotional support.
The Goal: Learn A New Skill
Learning a new skill is another common New Year’s resolution, and learning isn’t reserved for the younger generations! The benefits of engaging in lifelong learning include finding new social connections, improving cognitive functioning, and increasing feelings of fulfilment and purpose.
Many residential assisted living communities offer classes and workshops, allowing seniors to learn new skills or keep practicing their lifelong hobbies and passions. Residents may even wish to teach other residents and staff members their skills. At New Hope Senior Living, residents can access various learning opportunities, from cooking and baking to gardening and crafts.
The Goal: Eat A Healthier Diet
Many seniors living independently struggle to access the proper nutrition to support their health. Poor mobility can make going to the grocery store, cooking meals, and tidying up much more challenging, ultimately leading to unintentional weight loss or malnutrition. In fact, it has been estimated that almost half of older Americans are malnourished according to the Administration for Community Living.
Upon moving to residential assisted living, seniors can enjoy daily hassle-free healthy meals and snacks. New Hope residents enjoy farm-to-table meals freshly prepared using only the most beneficial, seasonally inspired ingredients. Our menus are developed to support senior health with all the essential nutrients without compromising taste.
If you’re the family caregiver of an aging senior with big visions for retirement, contact us today to organize a visit to New Hope Senior Living. During your visit, you and your loved one will get an authentic flavor of daily life in our community, discovering how we can help them reach and exceed their personal goals for 2024.