4 Secrets to Slow Aging: Senior Retirement Communities Share Insight

Staying active physically, mentally and emotionally will, of course, help keep your muscles and brain alert. But there’s more to it than that. Socialization and engagement are also crucial ingredients to help you stay young.

Of course we are all aware how important it is to stay active, at every step of life. But, for seniors, the type of activity—whether playing chess or engaging in volunteer work—is also influential on staying alert and more youthful. Many senior citizens don’t want to make the move to a retirement community as they believe it may signify a compromise of their independence. However, according to multiple retirement communities, the move may, in fact, promote healthy senior living, friendship and quality care that helps keeps keep seniors alert and happy.

Here are a few ‘best practices’ for keeping senior citizens active by properly running a retirement center to promote healthy, happy and thriving residents:

1. Socialization Is Key. Social engagement and resident interaction can help combat depression. Since depression is a contributing factor in a myriad of health problems—ranging from memory loss to fatigue to ineffective auto immune responses—keeping an active social calendar helps with human interaction and stimulation. Seniors tend to slow down as they get older and social engagement can be limited. A well-run retirement community provides social events, contests and programs to promote socialization (and, hopefully, the variety appeals to many different personalities).
2. Let’s Stay Physical! Physical! Olivia Newton John’s words resonate in every day health—especially for senior citizens. Retirement communities should offer many programs to keep their seniors active, from physical therapy, endurance and strength-building workouts that are catered to senior citizens—to water aerobics and gardening. Staying active in a fun, organized group settings can help seniors treat arthritis, keep their circulation flowing and keep their bodies engaged in healthy living.
3. Keepin’ That Society Life. It doesn’t need to be “high society,” but ‘some’ community interaction is good. Involvement in the community makes people feel like they’re contributing to society, simply because, well—they are. Assisted living and retirement communities offer many outreach programs to keep seniors involved in the community, whether they’re working with kids, businesses or non-profit organizations. Having a connection and contributing feels good. And especially for senior citizens to help them not feel ‘out-of-touch’ in the world.
4. Keepin’ It Real. Daily household chores and responsibilities can be a lot for anyone. For seniors, it can take a toll. Cleaning, doing laundry, walking up and down stairs—not to mention gardening—can be a burden for someone in their golden years. Especially if the senior feels obligated to keep up with old habits. Friends and family can help, but it’s not a fun situation for anyone. This is why keeping a realistic, active lifestyle at an assisted living and retirement community is much more manageable. Organized, daily tasks are more for the senior’s enjoyment. The communities take care of the responsibilities and daily details.

So keep these things in mind when searching for a retirement community for your loved one as it’s important to find a community that will enhance the latter years. The fountain of youth may still be a myth, but staying ‘healthy’ active and enjoying a sociable, engaging retirement tends to slow the aging process.