Loneliness and social isolation are two significant health risks that many older adults in the U.S. face. According to a post published on the JAMA Network, a national survey found that 37% of adults between 50 and 80 felt lonely, while 34% experienced social isolation. The article further noted that these two issues are more common among those who live alone.
If you or a senior loved one lives alone, feels lonely, or experiences isolation, our Shiloh assisted living community, Addington Place of Shiloh, can provide a safe, caring, and compassionate environment. Plus, we hold many fun activities to help you stay social, connected, mentally stimulated, and physically fit!
We'll explore some of the top activities you can expect at the Addington Place of Shiloh, so please read on.
According to Real Simple, 65% of U.S. adults report reading a print book. Luckily, reading books isn't just a great way to pass the time; as Real Simple pointed out, it has at least nine science-backed benefits. Some can be particularly beneficial for older adults, such as:
Plus, because reading books is an activity many enjoy, it provides an opportunity for socialization and conversation. For this reason, our Shiloh assisted living community encourages our residents to participate in our book club. Through this club, we provide them with a space where they can feel a sense of belonging and companionship and share a common interest in reading.
In a post, Lesley University discussed how research by art therapy expert Dr. Raquel Stephenson shows the beneficial effects of creative expression in older adults. According to Dr. Stephenson, making art in a social setting can counteract isolation and depression. Furthermore, the Art Therapy expert noted how this activity can help boost:
Creative pursuits may also help seniors stay mentally active since they require thinking. For instance, when people draw or paint, they must first think of their design, which engages their brains.
Making and appreciating art also encourages socialization. When people see something beautiful, they tend to bond.
Considering its many potential benefits, our Shiloh elder care community incorporates art-related activities in our senior wellness programs. We motivate our residents to express themselves creatively through art classes and artistic creation.
For some, the notion of gaming and playing is but a distant childhood memory. However, for older adults, engaging in these recreational activities benefits their well-being by combating loneliness and social isolation. They can:
At Addington Place of Shiloh, we regularly schedule game nights to keep our residents engaged and occupied. We have classic board games like Monopoly and Scrabble and card-based games like Poker and Bridge. In addition to being entertaining, these games require critical thinking since players have to strategize to win.
Many senior social events in our Shiloh assisted living community provide residents with fun ways to stay active. For example, we offer dance classes, including ballroom and line dancing.
Our dance classes provide opportunities for socialization since they're team or group events. Residents can mingle and laugh as they learn the moves together.
Learning new dance moves can also help keep our seniors' brains engaged, as it requires memorization and recall. Both tasks work out the brain, which may then help boost their cognition.
Indeed, a research brief published by The Conversation revealed that ballroom dancing may improve cognitive functions in older adults. It also reported how this type of social dance can minimize brain atrophy in seniors who face higher dementia risks.
In the same brief, the researchers noted that social dancing might provide even more benefits than walking alone. According to them, it's more physical and social and requires more cognitive function. So, dance classes are also excellent retirement home activities that can help enhance physical fitness.
At Addington Place of Shiloh, we strive to provide our residents with exceptional community amenities, including dining with chef-prepared meals. Our culinary staff works hard every day to whip up delicious meals that are not just delicious but nourishing, too. We make every meal as varied as possible while accounting for specific dietary restrictions and nutritional needs.
However, the daily meals we prepare nourish more than just the body; they also nourish the brain and soul. We serve each meal in our beautiful dining area with a warm and inviting vibe, encouraging residents to break bread together and bond over good food.
The caring staff at Addington Place of Shiloh regularly holds community outings as part of our scheduled assisted living activities. We take our residents out to do some sightseeing at local landmarks and enjoy food at local restaurants. We handle the transportation, too, so they can focus on having a good time.
Our community also offers scheduled transportation services. So, whenever our residents need to leave the community (e.g., for their medical check-ups), they only have to let us know, and we'll coordinate their transportation.
At Addington Place of Shiloh, there's always something fun happening, from book clubs to art classes, game nights, and dance classes. You'll love our community outings, too, as they can provide more opportunities to work out and meet more people.
So, if you want to enhance your or your loved one's golden years and combat isolation and loneliness, our Shiloh assisted living community happily welcomes you.
Get in touch with us today to schedule a visit to our community in Shiloh, IL. We hope that by touring our community, you'll see why we have over a hundred 5-star Google reviews and many more positive testimonials.